The EC's order comes after political parties and candidates sought clarifications on whether they were permitted to place advertisements in the newspapers just prior to the polls. The advertisements would appear in the dailies on voting day.

``There is no objection to the publication of advertisements by political parties or candidates in newspapers during the period of 48 hours, ending with the hour fixed for conclusion of poll,'' the Commission said in its order.

Even though campaigning for the first phase ended this evening, political activists can continue door-to-door canvassing with handbills and pamphlets right upto the end of polling.

The Commission clarified that the ban on broadcast of political advertisements on electronic mediawould continue.

In a separate order relating to exit polls, the Commission has permitted the live telecast of exit polls after the conclusion of the last phase of voting on October 3.

Responding to an appeal by Doordarshan seeking permission to have live telecast of the exit polls being conducted for it by Development and Research Services, the Commission has given its assent, provided no person conducting the exit poll programme enters the area within 200 metres of the polling stations, samples of ballot papers, or even dummy ballot papers which are used for eliciting voter responses, and responses are taken only from volunteers.