New Delhi, 2 April. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued strict guidelines for the media and political parties regarding the assembly elections and by-elections in six states proposed this month. The Commission has clarified that during the ‘silence period’ prescribed before voting, there will be a complete ban on telecast of any kind of election campaigning or material influencing the voters.
Elections are to be held in these states
Last month, on March 15, the Commission had announced by-elections on 8 seats in Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Nagaland and Tripura along with the assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.
Silence period applies 48 hours in advance
According to the ECI, under Section 126(1)(b) of the Representation of the People Act 1951, the ‘silence period’ comes into effect 48 hours before the end of voting. During this period, election related material cannot be broadcasted through TV, radio or any other medium which may influence the voters.
Silence period deadline in election states
Voting will be held in Assam on April 9, where the silence period will be from 5 pm on April 7 to 5 pm on April 9. Voting is also held in Kerala and Puducherry on April 9 and it will be applicable from 6 pm on April 7 to 6 pm on April 9. Voting will be held in Tamil Nadu on April 23, where there will be a silence period from 6 pm on April 21 to 6 pm on April 23. Elections will be held in West Bengal in two phases. The first on 23 April and the second on 29 April. For the first phase, the silence period will be applicable from 6 PM on April 21 to 6 PM on April 23 and for the second phase, the silence period will be applicable from 6 PM on April 27 to 6 PM on April 29.
Opinion polls and content also banned
The Commission has directed media institutions that any program broadcast during this period should not include such content, ideas or appeals that create an atmosphere in favor or against any party or candidate. This also includes broadcasting of opinion polls.
Strict ban on exit polls from April 9, 7 am to April 29, 6.30 pm
According to the guidelines of the Commission, under Section 126A, conducting any kind of exit poll or publishing its results will be completely prohibited from 7 am on April 9 to 6.30 pm on April 29.
Provision of punishment and fine up to 2 years for violation
The EC has warned that violating the rules could lead to a jail term of up to two years, a fine or both. Also, all media organizations have been appealed to strictly follow these instructions.
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