The Election Commission of India (ECI) has put a hold on the publication and publicity of exit polls for the assembly elections in five states from 7:00 AM on November 7 to 6:30 PM on November 30. The decision was made in view of the upcoming Assembly elections in these states.
The prohibition is by the provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. Any person who contravenes this provision may be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or with a fine, or with both.
Chhattisgarh, Mizoram, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Telangana are the five states going for assembly elections. Chhattisgarh will conduct the polling in two phases on November 7 and November 17, whereas Mizoram, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Telangana will hold their voting on November 7, November 17, November 25, and November 30 respectively.
The ECI has taken this step to ensure that the results of the exit polls do not influence the voting behaviour of the electorate in these states. Exit polls try to find out from voters which party they voted for and predict the most likely results of an election.
The section “prohibits election campaign activities through public meetings, processions, etc, and displaying of election matter by means of television and similar apparatus. The purpose sought to be served by this prohibition is to provide a period of tranquil (silence period) for the electors before the voting day”, the Election Commission said.
The ECI has been seeking a ban on both exit and opinion polls during a period specified by it since 2004. This move is endorsed by six national and 18 regional parties.
The counting of votes will take place on December 3. The nation eagerly awaits the results of these crucial assembly elections.
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