Exit polls banned in Delhi on polling day

With the assembly elections in Delhi scheduled for February 5, the Election Commission on Monday prohibited the release of exit polls between 7 am and 6.30 pm on polling day.

The results of the Delhi assembly elections will be announced on February 8.

In a notice issued on Monday, the Election Commission stated: "In exercise of the powers under sub-Section (1) of Section 126A of the RP Act, 1951, the Election Commission, having regard to the provisions of Sub-Section (2) of the said Section, hereby notifies the period between 7.00 A.M. to 6.30 P.M. on 05.02.2025 (Wednesday) as the period during which conducting and publishing or publicising exit polls by means of the print or electronic media or dissemination in any other manner whatsoever, the result of any exit poll in connection with the aforesaid General and bye elections, shall be prohibited."

Bypolls for the Milkipur assembly seat in Uttar Pradesh and the Erode (East) assembly seat in Tamil Nadu are also scheduled for February 5.

Their results will also be announced on February 8.

The Election Commission order further stated, "Section 126A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 (RP Act, 1951) specifies that ‘no person shall conduct any exit poll and publish or publicise by means of the print or 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 in this regard.’"