It also asked the print media not to publish any news items or other contents in violation of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. 

The assembly polls are scheduled to be held in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Goa and Manipur between February 10 and March 7 and the counting of votes will be taken up on March 10. 

"Elections in India are the backbone of our democracy and the responsibility on the media for bringing all related information to the public is heavy," the PCI said in a statement. 

"The Press Council of India advises media not to violate section 126 of the RP (Representation of the People) Act, 1951 and Norms of Journalistic Conduct-2020 on paid news," it said in a nine-point advisory to the print media with regard to the coverage of the elections. 

In its advisory, the PCI asked the print media to observe all the directions, orders and instructions of the Election Commission (EC), the returning officers and the chief electoral officer, issued from time to time. 

"The print media is advised to take note of section 126 of the RP Act, 1951 that prohibits publishing any election matter by means, inter alia, of newspaper or any apparatus, during the period of 48 hours before the hour fixed for conclusion of poll in a constituency," the PCI said, taking note of the EC's advisory issued to the media in this connection on January 14. 

An 'election matter,' as defined under section 126 of the RP Act, is any matter intended or calculated to influence or affect the result of an election. 

A violation of the aforesaid provisions of the section 126 is punishable with imprisonment up to two years, or with fine or both. -- PTI