Elections Commission bans ITN from conducting political programs

COLOMBO (News 1st):- The National Election Commission has banned the Independent Television Network, better known as ITN, from conducting live political programs, interviews or discussions, from November 4th until the results of the presidential election are released.  Chairman of the NEC Mahinda Deshapriya, issuing a letter to the chairman of ITN said, politically based programs can only be aired if they are pre-recorded and have obtained the approval of the NEC. The letter further notes, ITN was informed on several occasions, to refrain from violating media ethics but yet the National Election Commission had received a complaint regarding a program that was aired on the 30th of last month, which had caused duress to Gotabaya Rajapaksa.