For nearly three months, journalists have neither been allowed to stand outside the Election Commission of India’s headquarters on Delhi’s Ashoka Road, nor film visuals from across the road. The area remains heavily barricaded with police restrictions.

Television journalists say they have been hit the hardest. It’s now impossible to record pieces to camera on EC-related stories or cover which politicians are visiting the Commission and why, they claim. 

Reporters claimed the barricades were first put up in August, when police blocked the opposition’s march to the EC office over alleged election irregularities.

An EC PRO attributed the restrictions to the imposition of Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. Additional DCP (New Delhi) Anand Mishra described the curbs as “routine,” saying they were meant to manage VIP movement and traffic. He said the latest orders were issued in October and are renewed every two months.

However, since the barricades appear to be confined to the EC office within the area, Newslaundry asked Mishra whether a specific request had prompted them. He referred the query to the DCP – whose office did not respond to calls.

Newslaundry spoke to at least eight journalists who requested anonymity citing fear of repercussions on access. 

‘No one is allowed to shoot here’

On November 3, when we tried to film a visual from outside the EC office, a policeman ran up and ordered us to turn off the camera. When shown a press card and told that only a photograph was being taken, he said, “No one is allowed to shoot here.” A similar attempt from another corner of the building was also stopped. 

Whether Press Information Bureau-accredited journalists or beat reporters, only those with prior permission are reportedly allowed entry into the building, journalists told Newslaundry.

“Earlier, we used to do live reporting from outside the Election Commission headquarters, capturing footage of politicians’ coming and going, but now everything has stopped,” claimed a TV reporter. “Now, we have to stand away from the Election Commission building, facing the Punjab National Bank.”

A senior print journalist said, “When you can’t stand outside the Commission, it’s difficult to even know which leader or officer is coming in or going out. This impacts transparency.”

Some journalists claimed they had even raised concerns about access in conversations with EC officials. However, the EC’s PRO Ashish Goyal insisted there was no such issue.

A TV journalist, who claimed to have raised the issue about media access with the EC, said journalists were assured their concerns would be looked into. “Whenever I go to the Election Commission headquarters to record something, the security personnel present there refuse to let me do so. We have raised this issue several times…we’re having trouble recording P2C (piece to camera) because the Election Commission building or board must be visible in the background.”

Another journalist with a PIB card said the barricades were put in place after the opposition’s protests against the EC during the last Parliament session. “The personnel at the gate won’t let us in unless we’re called in. Whether a journalist has a PIB card or is a beat reporter for a channel doesn’t matter. We can only go in if we get permission….There’s a complete ban on taking photos and videos. One day, a TV reporter tried to zoom in from a distance and take pictures, but he was also immediately stopped.”

A senior video journalist with nearly two decades of experience claimed, “Previously, we would record photos and videos at the Election Commission office gate, talk to people, and they would happily give bytes. But now all that has stopped. If anyone tries too hard to take photos or videos, security personnel are ready to confiscate cameras and mobile phones.”

A news agency reporter said the media industry itself had changed. “The reporter doesn’t even decide what to ask. Now, the editor sends the questions,” he said.

‘Discouraging the media is a huge folly’

Former Chief Election Commissioner S Y Qureshi called the EC curbs “shocking”. “Discouraging the media is a huge folly…if you’re not accessible and aren’t presenting your version, don’t blame the press,” he said. Asked about media access during his tenure, he recalled: “Our DPIO…dealt with all of them. He was very friendly with the press. That’s why if anyone needed anything, they got it through him…We left everything to the DPIO.”

Additional DCP (New Delhi Range) Anand Mishra said that ACPs issue orders for the areas under their jurisdiction. These orders can be renewed every two months, he said, adding that the EC has designated a specific spot for journalists near the EC office.

“Since the Election Commission’s office is in the Parliament Street area, the ACP Parliament Street’s order applies there. The current one was issued in October, and it will be renewed again in December. This is done from the point of view of VIP movement or traffic regulation,” he said.

To understand the official position, we contacted EC PRO Ashish Goyal. Asked about the restrictions, he said, “Section 163 is in place there, so this is happening. However, this was in place before I came here. I’ve been here for three or four months. There’s no specific reason for this.”

Goyal insisted journalists were still meeting officials inside the building. “The restrictions are not such. People keep coming and going and meeting us.”

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