The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued a notification prohibiting the conduct, publication, and dissemination of exit polls on February 5, the day of voting for the Delhi Assembly elections and bypolls in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The ban will be in effect from 7:00 AM to 6:30 PM, restricting the release of exit poll results through print, electronic, or any other media platforms.
The directive, issued on January 22, also enforces a 48-hour silence period before the conclusion of polling, during which any election-related matter—including results of opinion polls or surveys—cannot be displayed in electronic media. This restriction aligns with the provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, ensuring a fair and unbiased voting process.
Apart from the Delhi Assembly elections, the bypolls for the Milkipur Assembly constituency in Uttar Pradesh and Erode (East) in Tamil Nadu will also be conducted on the same day. The ECI’s notification explicitly states that any violation of these regulations could lead to legal action.
With the Delhi elections approaching, political parties have intensified their campaigns, making final efforts to reach out to voters. The ECI’s strict enforcement of election rules aims to ensure a free and fair electoral process across all poll-bound regions.
