Conducting, Telecasting and printing results of the exit polls is banned under the Representation of People’s Act, 1951.
Bangalore, April 13, 2018: The Karnataka State Election Commission today in a workshop for media personnel mandated that conducting dessimination of exit polls is prohibited under the Model code of Conduct .
Manoj Arya, Special Commissioner (Finance), Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), speaking on behalf of Election Commission (EC), said “There is no question of exit polls being aired. This rule has to be strictly followed. Commission is very clear on this matter. Avoid rumours and baseless speculations too.”
This comes in the backdrop of flouting of rules by various TV channels which telecasted the in-house exit poll results after the polling of Gujarat and UP elections last year.
He added that during the “pristine 48 hours” of the poll period, media should take note that no content which could sway the elections in favour of one party or candidate is published.
“Election Commission considers media to be one of our strongest allies”, he said.
Sanjiv Kumar, Chief Electoral Officer, State Election Commission, said, “A free and fair media will ensure free and fair elections. Hence, we want to reiterate the guidelines on the model code of conduct for the media ahead of the state elections.”
