By PTI
NEW DELHI: Ahead of the assembly polls in five states, the Press Council of India (PCI) on Thursday asked print media to refrain from publishing articles which in any way predict the results of the elections during the prohibited period from February 10 to March 7.
In view of the upcoming assembly elections in five states, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has imposed a ban on conducting and publishing opinion polls or exit polls between February 10 and March 7.
In an advisory, the print media watchdog said it is of the view that forecast of the results of the elections in any form or manner by way of predictions by astrologers, tarot readers, political analysts or by any persons during the prohibited period is violation of the spirit of the Section 126A of the Representation of the People (RP) Act, 1951.
The RP Act aims to prevent the electors of constituencies, going to polls, from being influenced in their voting by such predictions about the prospects of the political parties in the fray, it added.
“In view of the upcoming State Legislative Assembly elections in different States, the Press Council of India advises the print media to refrain from publishing articles which in any way whatsoever predict the results of the elections during the prohibited period under Section 126A of RP Act, 1951, to ensure free, fair and transparent election,” the Council said.
Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur will be held from February 10 and the counting of votes will take place on March 10.
“The print media is hereby advised not to publish/publicize any such articles related to the dissemination of results, during the prohibited period of the State Legislative Assembly elections in the States of Goa, Manipur, Punjab, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh between 7.00 AM on February 10, 2022 and 6.30 PM on March 7, 2022 to ensure free and fair elections,” the Council said.
