Elections 2022: ECI bans exit poll in five poll-bound states
The Election Commission of India issued strict guidelines on Saturday and banned all exit polls ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Goa, Uttarakhand and Manipur.
“No person shall conduct any exit poll and publish or publicize by means of print or any other manner, the result of any exit poll,” the Election Commission said in an order.
The ban on exit polls has been imposed under Section 126A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
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Earlier in the day, the Election Commission has also banned all exit polls ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, which will take place from February 10 to March 7. In a separate notification, the EC stated that those who violate the order could face a minimum of two years in prison and a fine, or both.
Ajay Kumar Shukla, the Chief Electoral Officer of Uttar Pradesh, said in a statement that conducting exit polls, publishing them in print or electronic media, or publicising them is barred from 7 a.m. on February 10 to 6.30 p.m. on March 7.
The EC notification stated, “Any person who violates the order will be punished with a two-year jail term or fine or both."
Notably, the five states of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur will hold elections in seven phases between February 10 and March 7. The counting of votes will take place on March 10.
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-PTC News
