Psephologists to go out of job, but it’s not recession
EC has banned the results of opinion or exit poll both in print & broadcast.
By ET Bureau |
NEW DELHI: The election Commission has banned the dissemination of results of any opinion poll or exit poll, both in print and broadcast, for 48 hours before end of poll in a single-phase election and till the last vote is cast in a multi-phase election.
In case of a staggered poll or simultaneous polls in different states/Union territories, the ban would extend from 48 hours before the last vote is cast for the first phase to the conclusion of polling in all states and Union territories.
The EC order, issued on Tuesday, is in pursuance of the Supreme Court order dated January 19, 2009, in a writ
petition seeking a ban on release of exit and opinion poll findings or their analysis in print or electronic media as well directions to the EC to enforce its guidelines in the matter issued from time to time. The apex court, while adjourning the matter ���in view of the pending legislation already initiated in the Rajya Sabha��� had left it to the EC to issue any other appropriate direction.
Having considered the matter, the Commission, in exercise of its powers under Article 324 of the Constitution and all other powers enabling it in this behalf, issued an order putting a blanket ban on dissemination of exit and opinion poll results in the midst of polling. For a single-phase election, the EC ban would come into effect 48 hours before end of polling.
In a multi-phased election, and in the case of elections in different states announced simultaneously, the ban would be in force ���at any time during the period starting from 48 hours before the hour fixed for closing of poll in the first phase of the election and till the poll is concluded in all the phases in all states.���
The Bill to amend the Representation of the People Act to allow publication of exit poll results only after the polls were completed, was introduced in the Rajya Sabha in December 2008 and is currently being examined by standing committee headed by E M S Nachiappan.
In case of a staggered poll or simultaneous polls in different states/Union territories, the ban would extend from 48 hours before the last vote is cast for the first phase to the conclusion of polling in all states and Union territories.
The EC order, issued on Tuesday, is in pursuance of the Supreme Court order dated January 19, 2009, in a writ
petition seeking a ban on release of exit and opinion poll findings or their analysis in print or electronic media as well directions to the EC to enforce its guidelines in the matter issued from time to time. The apex court, while adjourning the matter ���in view of the pending legislation already initiated in the Rajya Sabha��� had left it to the EC to issue any other appropriate direction.
Having considered the matter, the Commission, in exercise of its powers under Article 324 of the Constitution and all other powers enabling it in this behalf, issued an order putting a blanket ban on dissemination of exit and opinion poll results in the midst of polling. For a single-phase election, the EC ban would come into effect 48 hours before end of polling.
In a multi-phased election, and in the case of elections in different states announced simultaneously, the ban would be in force ���at any time during the period starting from 48 hours before the hour fixed for closing of poll in the first phase of the election and till the poll is concluded in all the phases in all states.���
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The ban promises to spare the electorate of an avoidable distraction, besides taking the wind out of the sails of ���embedded��� psephologists, whose survey results often reflected their favoured parties��� electoral aspirations rather than voter opinion.The Bill to amend the Representation of the People Act to allow publication of exit poll results only after the polls were completed, was introduced in the Rajya Sabha in December 2008 and is currently being examined by standing committee headed by E M S Nachiappan.
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