MANOJ SINHA
Ramgarh, Feb 17: The Election Commission has banned conducting and publishing any information related to exit polls between 7 am on February 16 and 7 pm on February 27.
The decision has been taken in view of the upcoming Ramgarh assembly by-election that is to be held on February 27.
Section 126 A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 (P.O. Act, 1951) provides that no person shall conduct any exit poll or the result of any opinion poll, shall not publish, publicise or disseminate in any manner by print, electronic or any other media, at the time that may be notified by the Election Commission.
Moreover, in the exercise of the powers under sub-section (1) of section 126A of the Representation of the People Act, the Commission stated that from 7:00 am on February 16 to 7:00 pm on February 27, the conducting of any exit poll and publishing or publicising using the print or electronic media shall be prohibited.
The Commission also clarified that displaying any election matter, including results of any opinion poll or any other poll survey, will be prohibited during the period of 48 hours ending with the hours fixed for the conclusion of the poll in the respective polling areas.
Notably, any person who violates the order will be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two-year jail or fine or both.
