Exit polls can only be telecast on the evening of May 19 after the last phase of Lok Sabha election gets over, the Election Commission said on Saturday as it issued an advisory to the media in which websites and social media platforms were included for the first time.
The Commission said that TV, radio channels, cable networks, websites and social media platforms should ensure that the contents of programmes telecast/broadcast/displayed by them during the 48-hour period before the end of polls in each phase “do not contain any material, including views or appeals by participants that may be construed as promoting or prejudicing the prospect” of any particular party or candidate.
The elections in seven phases will begin on April 11 and end on May 19.
Votes will be counted on May 23.
The advisory is also applicable for Andhra Pradesh, Sikkim, Odisha and Arunachal Pradesh where Assembly elections are being held simultaneously.
