EC bans exit polls for Himachal, Gujarat elections till Dec. 14

New Delhi [India], November 7 (ANI): The Election Commission (EC) on Tuesday announced that exit poll results for Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat assembly elections cannot be made public before December 14.

Poll in Himachal Pradesh is scheduled to be held in single phase on November 9, while Gujarat poll will be held in two phases on December 9 and 14.

"Conducting any exit poll and publishing or publicising 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 current general elections to the legislative assemblies of Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat shall be prohibited" between 8:00 am of November 9 to 6:00 pm of December 14", an order issued by the EC stated.

Section 126 of Representation of the People Act, 1951, prohibits displaying any election matter by means, inter alia, of television or similar medium/means, during the period of 48 hours before the hour fixed for conclusion of poll in a constituency.

During the period not covered by Section 126 or Section 126A, concerned TV channels, radio stations and cable networks are free to approach the authorities for necessary permission for conducting any outdoor broadcast related events, which must also conform to the provisions of the model code of conduct and the programme code laid down by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting under the Cable Network (Regulation) Act with regard to decency, maintenance of communal harmony, etc. (ANI)