New Delhi: Two days ahead of the latest round of Assembly election in four states and one Union territory (UT), the Election Commission of India (ECI) spelt out the exit polls restriction timeline.
ECI made it clear that exit polls can neither be held nor disseminated from 7 am on April 9 till 6.30 pm on April 29.
The poll
panel reminded everyone that conducting or broadcasting exit polls during the said period is violative of section 126A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 and “punishable with imprisonment up to a period of two years, or with fine or both”.
Kerala, Assam and Puducherry will vote on April 9, and Tamil Nadu on April 23. Polling in West Bengal will take place in two phases April 23 and 29.
The 48 hour ‘silence period’ in Kerala and Puducherry will commence at 6 pm on Tuesday, and at 5 pm in Assam.
Silence period signifies the end of campaigning 48 hours before the end of voting hour.
Voting is usually held from 7 am to 6 pm. However, the timing varies in some cases due to terrain and security situation.