An election official explains the working of an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) and Voter verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) during a voter awareness camp organised by the Election Commission of India (ECI) ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha elections, in New Delhi on April 6, 2019. (Photo: IANS)
The Election Commission on Monday banned exit polls from 11 April to 6.30 pm on 19 May, from the first phase to the last phase of polling for the general election and assembly elections in five states.
In a notification issued here, the Commission prohibited conducting, publishing or publicising the results of exit polls “by means of the print or electronic media or in any other manner”.
“Further, under Section 126(1)(b) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, displaying any election matter including results of any opinion poll or any other poll survey, in any electronic media, would be prohibited,” said a senior official of the Election Commission.
The commission has also asked electronic and print media to refrain from telecasting or publishing programmes which in any way may predict the results of the elections during the prohibited period starting 11 April.
“The Commission is of the view that prediction of results of elections in any form or manner by way of predictions, etc., by astrologers, Tarot readers, political analysts or by any persons during the prohibited period is a violation of the spirit of Section 126A which aims to prevent the electors of constituencies still going to polls from being influenced in their voting by such predictions about the prospects of the various political parties,” the commission said.
Agencies
