New Delhi [India]: The Election Commission has issued a notification prohibiting the conduct, publication, or publicizing of exit polls from 7:00 AM to 6:30 PM on February 5 (Wednesday) when voting will take place for the Delhi Assembly elections and two bypolls in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
The directive, issued on January 22, also clarifies that under the provisions of the Representation of the People Act, displaying any election-related material—including results of opinion polls or survey polls—through electronic media will be banned during the 48-hour period leading up to the conclusion of polling.
In addition to the Delhi Assembly elections, bypolls will be conducted in the Milkipur assembly constituency of Uttar Pradesh and Erode (East) constituency of Tamil Nadu.
“In exercise of the powers under sub-Section (1) of Section 126A of the R.P. Act, 1951, the Election Commission, having regard to the provisions of Sub-Section (2) of the said Section, hereby notifies the period between 7:00 AM to 6:30 PM on 05.02.2025 (Wednesday) as the period during which conducting and publishing or publicizing exit polls by means of print or electronic media or dissemination in any other manner whatsoever shall be prohibited in connection with the aforesaid general and bye-elections,” the notification states.
It further adds, “Under Section 126(1)(b) of the R.P. Act, 1951, displaying any election matter, including results of any opinion poll or any other poll survey, in any electronic media, would be prohibited during the period of 48 hours ending with the hours fixed for the conclusion of the poll in connection with the aforesaid general and bye-elections.”
Political Campaigns Intensify Ahead of Elections
With less than a week remaining before the crucial Delhi elections, political parties have ramped up their campaigns.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a sharp attack on the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), alleging that the “AAP-DA” (disaster) government has ruined Delhi over the past eleven years. He assured voters that if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) comes to power, no slums would be demolished, and no welfare schemes would be discontinued.
Modi further urged the people not to give the AAP another term, stating that another five years under its governance would be a “waste” for Delhi.
The Delhi Assembly elections will take place in a single phase on February 5, with vote counting scheduled for February 8. The national capital is set to witness a three-way contest between the BJP, Congress, and AAP.