Campaign ends 48 hours before close of poll; Ban on Exit Poll, Opinion Poll, Predictions by Astrologers etc.

Campaign ends 48 hours before close of poll
Ban on Exit Poll, Opinion Poll, Predictions by Astrologers etc.

As per directions of the Election Commission of India (ECI), the election campaign for all the three phases in Assam of Lok Sabha Election 2024 will end 48 hours prior to the end of the poll. In this regard, the election campaign in all the HPCs under Phase I will come to an end at 5 pm on April 17, 2024 i.e. 48 hours prior to the close of polls. This is in accordance with the Election Commission’s guidelines under the provisions enacted in the Section 126 (1) (b) of Representation of Peoples’ Act, 1951.

During this period, no person shall convene, hold or attend, join or address any public meetings, processions, etc., and display of election matter by means of television and similar apparatus. No loudspeakers fitted on vehicles of any kind or in any other manner shall be permitted to be used during the period of 48 hours for propagation of any election matter to the public or by holding any musical concert, any theatrical performance, any other entertainment or amusement with a view to attracting the members of the public, in any polling area during the period of 48 hours ending with the hour fixed for the conclusion of the poll for the 1st phase.

The result of any exit or opinion poll conducted shall not be published, publicized or disseminated in any manner by print, electronic or any other media during this period. The media should refrain from telecasting, publishing programmes including predictions by Astrologers, Tarot readers, and Political Analysis etc., which in any way whatsoever predict the results of the elections during the prohibited period under the Section 126A of R.P. Act 1951. The objective of this prohibition is to provide a silence period to the electors in the run-up to the actual polling day.