BAN ON DISPLAY OF ELECTION MATERIAL AND EXIT POLLS DURING THE SILENCE PERIOD

BAN ON DISPLAY OF ELECTION MATERIAL AND EXIT POLLS DURING THE SILENCE PERIOD

30-OCT-ENG 44

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA---------------------------The Election Commission (ECI) announced the schedule for the general elections and by-elections to the Bihar Legislative Assembly on October 6, 2025. Voting in the Bihar elections will be held in two phases on November 6, 2025, and November 11, 2025, respectively.

Section 126(1)(b) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, prohibits, among other things, the display of any election material by means of television or similar apparatus during the period of forty-eight hours ending with the hour fixed for the conclusion of the poll for any election in any polling station (silence period).

The Commission reiterates that TV/radio channels and cable networks must ensure that the content of programmes broadcast/displayed by them during the 48-hour period specified in the above section does not contain any material, including the views/appeals of panelists/participants, which could be construed as promoting/prejudicing the prospects of any particular party or candidate (or candidates) or influencing the result of the election. This also includes the display of any opinion poll.

The Commission has notified under Section 126A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 that the dissemination of exit polls and their results through print or electronic media will be prohibited from 7:00 AM on November 6, 2025 (Thursday) to 6:30 PM on November 11, 2025 (Tuesday). Violation of Section 126 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 is punishable with imprisonment up to two years or fine or both.

The Commission advises all media groups to follow the instructions in this regard in accordance with its spirit.