The Election Commission of India (ECI) announced a ban on the release of exit polls for the upcoming Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana on September 5, 2024. This restriction will be in effect from 7:00 AM on September 18, 2024, until 6:30 PM on October 5, 2024, the final day of polling.
Why The Ban?
The ECI’s notification, issued under Section 126A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, prohibits the publication, dissemination, or disclosing of exit poll results through print, electronic media, or any other means during this period. The measure aims to prevent the influence of exit polls on voter behavior and ensure a fair electoral process.
Ban on Exit Poll🚫
Time Period 👇
7.00 AM – 19 April 2024
To
6.30 PM – 1 June 2024#ChunavKaParv #DeshKaGarv #ECI#LokSabhaElections2024 pic.twitter.com/kxn8KCY9jt— Election Commission of India (@ECISVEEP) May 31, 2024
Exit Polls Timing And Restrictions
Under the current guidelines, exit polls can be conducted but must not be made public until 30 minutes after the final vote is cast. Additionally, Section 126(1)(b) of the RP Act, 1951 prohibits displaying any election-related material, including opinion polls, during the 48 hours leading up to the end of polling.
Haryana And Jammu & Kashmir Elections
The voting for Haryana’s 90-member legislative assembly is scheduled for October 5, with the deadline for filing nominations set for September 12. In Jammu and Kashmir, which has 90 assembly constituencies, elections will take place in three phases: September 18, September 25, and October 1. The counting of votes for both states will occur on October 8, following a revision of the original dates.
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Historical Context And Upcoming Elections
These upcoming elections are significant as they are the first in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370. The region will have 7 seats reserved for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and 9 for Scheduled Tribes (STs). Jammu and Kashmir has a total of 88.06 lakh eligible voters. In the previous Assembly elections, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) won 28 seats, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured 25, the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC) won 15, and Congress won 12 seats.
Also Read: Haryana Assembly Election 2024: BJP Releases 1st List Of 67 Candidates. Details Here
