No bypassing exit poll ban through astrologers says EC

Can the media bypass the ban on exit polls and give out results through astrologers? Read this advisory by the ECI.

In an important advisory the Election Commission of India has said that use of astrology to bypass the ban on exit polls is not permitted. The ECI said that some television channels had found a loop-hole to bypass exit polls. They were predicting poll outcomes through astrologers on their channel, the EC observed.

The advisory by the EC says that forecasts of poll results whether by astrologers or political analysts and tarot card readers is banned during the poll process. The media cannot publish or telecast any programme that predicts the poll outcome, the EC advisory read. Astrologers cannot predict poll outcome in the media for 48 hours after the last vote has been caste, the EC said.

We are of the view that the prediction of election results in any form or manner by way of prediction of results by astrologers, tarot readers, political analysts put forward during the prohibited period will influence voters, the EC said.

Section 126A of the Representation of the People Act states that "no person shall conduct any exit poll and publish or publicise by means of the print and electronic media or disseminate in any other manner, whatsoever, the result of any exit poll during such period as may be notified by the Election Commission, the EC pointed out. This advisory has been sent to the Press Council of India and News Broadcasters Association.

OneIndia News