Delhi polls: Election Commission prohibits exit polls on voting day

The Election Commission has prohibited the conduct, publication, or publicising of exit polls for the Delhi assembly elections and bypolls in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu on February 5 from 7am to 6:30pm. Additionally, displaying any election-related content on electronic media will be banned during the 48-hour period leading up to the end of voting.

Election Commission of India (File photo) NEW DELHI: The Election Commission on Monday issued notification to prohibit the conduct, publication, or publicising exit polls between 7am and 6:30pm on February 5 as voters cast their ballots for the Delhi assembly elections and bypolls in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. In a notification issued on January 22, the EC also reiterated that under the Representation of the People Act, displaying any election-related content—including opinion poll results—on electronic media will be banned during the 48-hour period leading up to the conclusion of voting. The ban applies to the Delhi elections and bypolls in Uttar Pradesh’s Milkipur constituency and Tamil Nadu’s Erode (East) seat.

Citing Section 126A(1) of the R P Act, 1951, the notification states: “The period between 7am and 6:30pm on 05.02.2025 (Wednesday) is hereby notified as the duration during which conducting, publishing, or publicising exit polls by any means, including print or electronic media, shall be prohibited.

” Moreover, under Section 126(1)(b) of the Act, the display of any election matter, including opinion poll results, on electronic media will be restricted during the 48-hour silence period before polling ends. With the Delhi elections just days away, political parties have ramped up their campaigns. On Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a sharp attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), labelling its governance as an “AAP-DA” (disaster) for Delhi.

He accused the ruling party of mismanaging the capital over the past 11 years and assured voters that if the BJP comes to power, no slum dwellings will be demolished, nor will any welfare schemes be discontinued. PM Modi also urged voters not to give AAP another chance, warning that another five years under its leadership would be wasted. The Delhi assembly elections will be held in a single phase on February 5, with vote counting scheduled for February 8.

The national capital is set for a three-way contest between the BJP, Congress, and AAP..