HC dismisses petition to ban exit polls

Kochi, May 22 (UNI) The Kerala High Court today dismissed a writ petition seeking to ban the announcement of exit poll results before the completion of polling in all constituencies as ''infructous''.

However, the Division Bench comprising Chief Justice V K Bali and Justice Kurian Joseph observed that the petitioner could again move the court at an appropriate time.

The Court dismissed the plea of Shameem Poovath of Mattanchery, taking note of the fact that the election was already over, and it was not inclined to go into the merits of the case.

The writ petition submitted that conduct of exit polls was not permitted by election law and the announcement of exit poll results by certain TV channels, while polling was being held in a phased manner to the Kerala Assembly, had influenced the free will of electors of other Constituencies.

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