NEW DELHI : The Election Commission today banned exit polls between May 26 and May 28 in the poll bound states of India including the Assembly constituency -32 Shahkot bye-poll. Citing provisions of section 126 A of the Representations of the Peoples’ Act , 1951, a spokesman of the , EC said, “Exit polls cannot be conducted and publicized by means of print and electronic media or dissemination in any other manner starting from May 26,2018 at 6:30 PM to May 28, 2018 at 6.30 PM.”
Clarifying further, he said that display of any election matter including results of any opinion poll or any other poll survey in any electronic media is prohibited during the period 48 hours, including the hour fixed for conclusion of poll in each of the phases in connection with the elections.
ECI ISSUES PROHIBITION PROTOCOL DURING 48 HOUR BEFORE POLL
· PROHIBITION IMPOSED ON BROADCASTING OR PROPAGATING ELECTION MATERIAL ON TV OR RADIO
CHANDIGARH, May 25:2018, The Election Commission of India today issued extensive guidelines to the District Election Officer Jalandhar to ensure prohibitions during the period of 48 hours (5 pm on May 26, 2018) ending with hours fixed for conclusion of poll in Shahkot to be held on May 28, 2018.
Giving details on this, Chief Electoral Officer Punjab, Dr. S Karuna Raju said that the guidelines have been issued in accordance with the provisions enacted in the Section 126 Representation of Peoples’ Act 1951.
According to the guidelines the ongoing campaigning in Shahkot Assembly Constituencies Bye Election would come to an end 48 hours prior to the polling date. Subsequently all the political leaders, functionaries or Party workers who are not the registered voters will have to vacate the constituency within this period, said Mr. Singh.
Necessary guidelines have been issued to the Police and Civil Administration to Jalandhar to ensure that the outsiders who are not required leave immediately. All the political parties have also been properly informed on this issue so that the ECI directive could strictly inforced, said Dr. Raju. The Commission has also directed the election and Police administration to keep a close check on the community centres, guest houses and lodges so that the outsiders, if any, could be kept housed without causing any disturbance during the electoral process. The Identity cards of those who stay there in the constituency would also be checked, he added. He also said that the administration has been asked to ensure all those who have been under security cover could remain there in the constituency, in which they are the registered voters, till the poll day.
The Election Commission has also imposed complete prohibition on broadcasting or propagating election related material on TV, Radio or even Newspapers. Any such material influencing the voters would not be permissible during the 48 hours before the poll. However, any advertisement being published in the newspapers on May 27 and 28, 2018 requires prior permission or certification from the ECI, added Mr. Raju