FIR against online news channels for running opinion poll

An FIR has been registered against some online news channels for publishing opinion poll in connection with the Ludhiana (West) byelection, scheduled to be held on Thursday.

The FIR has been registered under Section 126 of the Representation of the People Act 1951 and Section 223 of the BNS.

The publication of the poll was carried out in violation of the guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India, which prohibits the publication or broadcasting of any opinion poll during the restricted period (48 hours prior to close of the poll).

The complaint was lodged by the Returning Officer of the Ludhiana (West) Assembly constituency. The publication of such a poll is viewed as an attempt to influence voter perception and election response, thereby undermining the integrity of the electoral process.

Complaints were received against online new channels like “Turn Times, Jan Hitaishi, The City Headlines and E News Punjab” for publishing opinion poll during the restricted period. Based on the contents of the complaint, a case has been registered at the Ludhiana cybercrime police station.