Ban on opinion, exit polls comes into effect

With the campaigning for the first phase of Lok Sabha elections comes to an end on Tuesday evening, the Election Commission also put ban on Media from disseminating the result of opinion and exit polls.

The ban came into effect from 3 pm today (Tuesday), the Election Commission said, adding the decision was taken in view of the order passed by the Supreme Court on January 19.

•   E-mail Article
•   Printer Friendly
•   Text-Size    

The poll panel had already announced detailed guidelines in this regard on February 17, EC said.

“The period referred to in the guidelines starts from 3 pm today and will continue till the conclusion of poll in the last and fifth phase of the election,” the EC said.

The guidelines had clearly mentioned that the result of opinion/exit polls carried out at any time cannot be “published, publicised or disseminated in any manner, during the period starting from 48 hours before the hour fixed for conclusion of poll in the first phase of election and till the conclusion of poll in the last phase of election," the statement issued by Election Commission stated Tuesday.

The ban applies to all print and electronic media, including private and government owned radio and television, and DTH, terrestrial and cable channels, newspapers, magazine, or circulation by means of pamphlet, poster, handbill or any other means.

The campaigning for the first phase of Lok Sabha polls (April 16) covering 124 constituencies in 15 states and two Union Territories ends on Tuesday evening. The fifth and last phase of elections will be held on May 13.