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Part – IV BENGALURU, MONDAY, 23, MARCH, 2026( CHAITHRA , 02, SHAKAVARSHA, 1948) No. 221
PERSONNEL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REFORMS SECRETARIAT (ELECTIONS)
NOTIFICATION
No. DPAR 47 CHUVISA 2026, BENGALURU, Dated: 23rd March, 2026.
The following Notification No.No. 576/EXIT/2026/SDR/Vol.I, dated: 20th March, 2026
of the Election Commission of India is published hereunder for general information:-
ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA
Nirvachan Sadan, Ashoka Road, New Delhi – 110001
No. 576/EXIT/2026/SDR/Vol.I Dated: 20th March, 2026
NOTIFICATION
Whereas, the schedule for the currentGeneral election to the Legislative Assemblies of Assam,
Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Puducherry and bye-elections to 8 Assembly Constituenciesin
6 States(as per Annexure-I)have been announced by the Election Commission vide Press Notes No.
ECI/PN/029/2026 and No. ECI/PN/030/2026 bothdated 15th March, 2026; and
2. Whereas, Section 126A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951(in short R.P. Act, 1951)
specifies that “(1) No person shall conduct any exit poll and publish or publicise by means of the
print or electronic media or disseminate in any other manner, whatsoever, the result of any exit poll
during such period, as may be notified by the Election Commission in this regard.
(2) For the purposes of sub-section (1), the Election Commission shall, by a general order,
notify the date and time having due regard to the following, namely: —
(a) in case of a general election, the period may commence from the beginning of the
hours fixed for poll on the first day of poll and continue till half an hour after closing
of the poll in all the States and Union territories;
(1)2
(b) In case of a bye-election or a number of bye-elections held together, the period may
commence from the beginning of the hours fixed for poll on and from the first day of
poll and continue till half an hour after closing of the poll;
Provided that in case of a number of bye-elections held together on different
days, the period may commence from the beginning of the hours fixed for poll on the
first day of poll and continue till half an hour after closing of the last poll.
(3) Any person who contravenes the provisions of this section shall be punishable with
imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or with fine or with both.”
3. Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers under sub-Section (1) of Section 126A of the R.P.
Act, 1951, the Election Commission, having regard to the provisions of sub-Section (2) of the said
Section, hereby notifies the period between 7:00A.M on 9thApril, 2026 (Thursday) and 6:30 PM
on 29th April, 2026 (Wednesday), as the period during which conducting and publishing or
publicizing exit pollby means of the print or electronic media or dissemination in any other manner
whatsoever, the result of any exit poll in connection with the aforesaid general election and
bye elections, shall be prohibited.
4. It is further clarified that under Section 126(1)(b) of the R.P. Act, 1951, displaying any election
matter including results of any opinion poll or any other poll survey, in any electronic media, would
be prohibited during the period of 48 hours ending with the hours fixed for the conclusion of the
poll in connection with the aforesaid general elections and bye elections.
By order,
(S. B. Joshi)
PRINCIPAL SECRETAR
(MADHU A C)
Under Secretary to Government,
D.P.A.R (Elections)R.N.I. No. KARBIL/2001/47147 POSTAL REGN. No. RNP/KA/BGS/2202/2017-19
Licensed to post without prepayment WPP No. 297
3
Annexure-I
Sl.
Name of the State Number and Name of the AC
No.
1. 223-Rahuri
Maharashtra
2. 201-Baramati
3. Goa 21-Ponda
4. 24-Bagalkot
Karnataka
5. 107-Davanagere South
6. Nagaland 28-Koridang(ST)
7. Tripura 56-Dharmanagar
8. Gujarat 111-Umreth
[
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