Ban on exit polls: SC asks for replies within 3 weeks

New Delhi, Jan 15 (UNI) The Supreme Court today directed the remaining respondents, including several political parties, to file their replies within three weeks on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking ban on exit polls.

Counsel for the petitioner told the court that the Election Commission had withdrawn its guidelines when an earlier petition was referred to a five-judge constitution bench, but subsequently the petition was withdrawn and could not be considered by the court.

Senior counsel Arun Jaitley, appearing for BJP told the court that the exit polls can not be completely banned and the Central government has also taken a similar stand.

A bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan, Justice D K Jain and Justice H S Bedi directed that the court will consider whether the exit polls exceeded the Right of Freedom of Expression to the press, guaranteed under article 19 (1)(a) of the Constitution, and if so, then this court may consider the issue of framing some guidelines.

The petitioner, D K Thakur, in his petition has sought a ban on exit polls on the grounds that these polls influence the voters and hence, influence the outcome of the elections also which violate the doctrine of free and fair elections in the country.

UNI