New Delhi, 3 February 2025: With the Delhi Assembly elections set for February 5, the Election Commission on Monday prohibited the conduct, publication, or dissemination of exit polls between 7 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. on polling day.
The restriction, imposed under Section 126A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, applies to all forms of media, including print, electronic, and digital platforms.
In its notification, the Election Commission stated: “In exercise of the powers under sub-Section (1) of Section 126A of the RP 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 A.M. to 6.30 P.M. on 05.02.2025 (Wednesday) as the period during which conducting and publishing or publicising exit polls by means of the print or electronic media or dissemination in any other manner whatsoever, the result of any exit poll in connection with the aforesaid General and bye elections, shall be prohibited.”
The ban also covers bypolls scheduled for February 5 in Uttar Pradesh’s Milkipur Assembly constituency and Tamil Nadu’s Erode (East) Assembly constituency. Their results, along with those of the Delhi Assembly elections, will be declared on February 8.
Citing legal provisions, the order reiterated that Section 126A prohibits any person from conducting or sharing exit poll results during the notified period. The regulation aims to prevent undue influence on voters while polling is underway.
