Today, the United Kingdom is holding a general election, with all eyes on the outcome of the vote for the next prime minister. To ensure a fair and impartial election process, British news websites and broadcasting channels have imposed a media blackout, refraining from publishing any political content. This blackout is in effect from the opening of polls at 7:00 am (0600 GMT) until their closure at 10:00 pm, when exit polls will provide an early indication of the results.
Different countries have varying rules regarding election campaigning. In India, political parties are prohibited from holding rallies or posting political messages on social media during polling days to prevent influencing voters. The UK, however, takes a more stringent approach, with media outlets being barred from publishing political stories during the election.
According to Ofcom, the UK’s broadcast regulator, news channels are prohibited from publishing any opinion polls on election day itself until the polls close. Additionally, publishing exit poll surveys or predictions while voting is underway is a criminal offense. These measures aim to ensure that media organizations maintain impartiality during the crucial voting period.
While these rules apply to digital and television broadcasters, print journalism, including newspapers and magazines, operates under different regulations. They are allowed to publish election content on their platforms. This disparity stems from the fact that most newspapers go to print at night, effectively making new election information unavailable to readers on the day of polling.
The social media landscape presents a different scenario. With no regulatory mechanisms in place, users may encounter poll-related content on their feeds. However, the BBC adheres to a specific editorial guideline that prohibits publishing any election material on their platforms or social media.
The current election sees a record number of candidates vying for 650 seats in Parliament’s lower chamber, each representing a constituency or seat. England boasts 543 seats, while Scotland has 57, Wales holds 32, and Northern Ireland has 18. This year, a total of 4,515 candidates are contesting, an increase attributed to the decision of the hard-right Reform UK to end its 2019 promise of not opposing the Conservatives, along with a surge in Green party hopefuls.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Conservatives are fielding candidates in 635 seats, while Keir Starmer’s Labour is contesting 631, and the Liberal Democrats, led by Ed Davey, are fielding 630 candidates. Reform UK, under the leadership of Nigel Farage, has 609 candidates, while Carla Denyer and Adrian Ramsay’s Greens have 629. The remaining candidates represent smaller parties or are running as independents.
