Politics
Election Commission Enforces Exit Poll Ban for Delhi Elections 2025
The Election Commission of India has barred exit polls. This is for the Delhi Assembly elections. The elections occur on February 5, 2025. The ban begins on voting day. It ends at 6:30 PM. The Commission issued this directive on February 3, 2025. The goal is to protect election integrity. It will prevent undue voter sway.
The ban stems from law. It uses the Representation of the People Act, 1951. The official notice declares a time frame. It covers 7:00 AM to 6:30 PM on February 5. During this period, conducting exit polls is outlawed. Publishing exit polls is also outlawed. Disseminating poll results is barred. This uses print media. Electronic media is included. Any method of broadcasting is forbidden. This prevents voters from seeing predictions. It safeguards a neutral environment. It blocks biases.
Exit polls are surveys. They are taken after voters cast ballots. These aim to predict election outcomes. They are made before official results. Exit polls offer insights. Their accuracy has faced questions. Sometimes predictions missed real results. This created public doubt. It cast a pall on the polls’ credibility.
The ban’s intent is simple. It stops early poll dissemination. Such early info might sway voters. The ban occurs during voting. The Election Commission strives to ensure choices. These choices must be independent. Voters will decide by themselves. This prevents outside meddling.
The Election Commission demands full adherence. Media must follow the order. Survey agencies are included. Political groups must comply. These must avoid polls during this period. They cannot publish anything about them. Breaking the rules brings legal repercussions. These actions fall under the 1951 Act.
Final Delhi election results are coming. They will release on February 8, 2025. The Election Commission urges all to respect the ban. This fosters a fair process. It promotes a transparent election.
The Representation of the People Act is key here. The act grants powers to the Election Commission. This is section 126A. It empowers the ban on exit polls. The ban’s reach is thorough. It engulfs all modes of exit poll reporting. It seeks to thwart any pre-result sway on voters. Exit polls have faced criticisms in prior elections. The accuracy and reliability have come under fire. The commission strives for voters’ unadulterated preferences. They will vote using their judgment.
