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Nod for ban on exit polls between election phases

Special Correspondent

Representation of the People Act to be amended

New Delhi: The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the proposal to restrict publication of exit polls till the end of the last polling in an election. According to the government, the proposed ban will ensure that polls, usually spread over several phases, are free and fair.

The government will introduce an amendment to Section 126 (b) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, for the purpose. This Section prohibits display of any election matter by means of cinematography, television or other similar apparatus.

In the absence of legislation, the Election Commission, responding to a public interest litigation petition, had informed the Supreme Court that television channels showing ‘insta poll’ (giving exit poll results even as polling is taking place) violated all norms.

It wanted exit polls to be permitted only after the completion of all the phases of the polls.

According to the government, there was a general perception that the telecasting or publication of opinion/exit polls had a deleterious effect and influence on the electors when they were making up of their minds whether to vote or not to vote for a certain political party or a candidate.

The methodology followed in conducting such opinion/exit polls varied from organisation to organisation.

The ban will come into force after the amendment is passed in the coming session of Parliament, before the Assembly elections in Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Rajasthan and Jammu and Kashmir in the next two months.

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