Executive Summary:
This document is a notification from the Election Commission of India regarding restrictions on exit polls and the publication/dissemination of exit poll results for the bye-elections to the House of the People and State Legislative Assemblies. It prohibits conducting exit polls and publishing/publicizing their results between 7:00 A.M. and 6:30 P.M. on May 28, 2018. It also prohibits displaying election matter, including opinion polls, in electronic media during the 48 hours leading up to the conclusion of the poll.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Restrictions on Exit Polls:**
* Conducting any exit poll is prohibited between 7:00 A.M. and 6:30 P.M. on May 28, 2018.
* Publishing or publicizing exit poll results via print or electronic media, or any other manner, is prohibited during the same period.
* **Bye-Elections Covered:**
* The restrictions apply to bye-elections in specific constituencies of Maharashtra, Nagaland, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Kerala, Meghalaya, Punjab, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal.
* **Restrictions on Election Matter in Electronic Media:**
* Displaying any election matter, including opinion polls or other poll surveys, in any electronic media is prohibited during the 48 hours ending with the hour fixed for the conclusion of the poll.
* **Legal Basis:**
* The notification is issued under Section 126A of the R.P. Act, 1951.
* Section 1261b of the R.P. Act, 1951 is referenced for restrictions on electronic media.
Impact Analysis:
* **Print and Electronic Media:**
* *Impact:* Prohibited from publishing or disseminating exit poll results during the specified period on May 28, 2018 and from displaying election matter in electronic media during the 48 hours leading up to the conclusion of the poll.
* *Action Required:* Ensure compliance with the restrictions to avoid legal consequences.
* **Organizations Conducting Exit Polls:**
* *Impact:* Cannot conduct exit polls or release results during the specified period on May 28, 2018.
* *Action Required:* Suspend exit poll activities during the prohibited timeframe.
* **General Public:**
* *Impact:* May not have access to exit poll information during the restricted period.
* *Action Required:* Be aware of the restrictions on disseminating exit poll information.
Key Entities Referenced
Election Commission of India: The central authority responsible for conducting elections in India, issuing the notification.
Maharashtra: A state in India where bye-elections were scheduled.
Nagaland: A state in India where bye-elections were scheduled.
Uttar Pradesh: A state in India where bye-elections were scheduled.
Bihar: A state in India where bye-elections were scheduled.
Jharkhand: A state in India where bye-elections were scheduled.
Kerala: A state in India where bye-elections were scheduled.
R.P. Act, 1951: The Representation of the People Act, 1951, the legal basis for the restrictions on exit polls.
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[स.ं 576/एिQजट/ईसीआई/प[/(cid:18)काया7./Kय ा./एसडीआर/खंड-1/2018]
आदशे से,
के. एफ. िव^j ेड, वIरk (cid:18)धान सिचव
ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 18th May, 2018
O.N. 47(E).—Whereas, the schedule for the Bye-Elections to the House of the People in the States
of Maharashtra, Nagaland & Uttar Pradesh and State Legislative Assemblies of Bihar, Jharkhand, Kerala,
Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, have been announced by the
Commission vide Press Note No. ECI/PN/32/2018, dated 26th April, 2018.
2. Whereas, as per the schedule so announced by the Commission, poll for the bye-election in the State
of Maharashtra, Nagaland, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Kerala, Meghalaya, Punjab, Uttarakhand and
West Bengal is to be taken on 28.05.2018; and
3. Whereas, as per the provisions of Section 126A of the R.P. Act, 1951, there shall be restrictions on
conduct of any exit poll and publication and dissemination of result of such exit poll during such period as
may be notified by the Election Commission in this regard;
4. 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)(b) of the said Section,
hereby notifies the period between 7.00 A.M. and 6.30 P.M. on 28-05-2018(Monday), as the period during
which conducting any exit poll and publishing or publicizing by means of the print or electronic media or
dissemination in any other manner whatsoever, the result of any Exit Poll in connection with the said bye-
elections announced vide the Commission’s Press Note No. ECI/PN/32/2018, dated 26th April, 2018 from
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Constituency in Maharashtra, Nagaland Parliamentary Constituency in Nagaland, 2-Kairana Parliamentary
Constituency & 24-Noorpur Assembly Constituency in Uttar Pradesh, 50-Jokihat Assembly Constituency in
Bihar, 34-Gomia & 61-Silli Assembly Constituencies in Jharkhand, 110-Chengannur Assembly Constituency
in Kerala, 53-Ampati (ST) Assembly Constituency in Meghalaya, 32-Shahkot Assembly Constituency in
Punjab, 05-Tharali (SC) Assembly Constituency in Uttarakhand and 155-Maheshtala Assembly Constituency
in West Bengal, shall be prohibited.
5. 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 hour fixed for conclusion of poll for the aforesaid bye-elections.
[No. 576/EXIT/ECI/LET/FUNC/JUD/SDR/Vol.I/2018]
By order,
K.F.WILFRED, Sr.Principal Secy.
Uploaded by Dte. of Printing at Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi-110064
and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054.