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PERSONNEL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REFORMS SECRETARIAT (ELECTIONS)

NOTIFICATION

No. DPAR 47 CHUVISA 2026, BENGALURU, Dated: 23^rd March, 2026.

The following Notification No.No. 576/EXIT/2026/SDR/Vol.I, dated: 20^th March, 2026

of the Election Commission of India is published hereunder for general information:-

ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA

Nirvachan Sadan, Ashoka Road, New Delhi – 110001

No. 576/EXIT/2026/SDR/Vol.I

Dated: 20^th March, 2026

NOTIFICATION

Whereas, the schedule for the currentGeneral election to the Legislative Assemblies of Assam,

Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Puducherry and bye-elections to 8 Assembly Constituenciesin

6 States(as per Annexure-I)have been announced by the Election Commission vide Press Notes No.

ECI/PN/029/2026 and No. ECI/PN/030/2026 bothdated 15^th March, 2026; and

2. Whereas, Section 126A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951(in short R.P. Act, 1951)

specifies that “(1) 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.

(2) For the purposes of sub-section (1), the Election Commission shall, by a general order,

notify the date and time having due regard to the following, namely: —

(a) in case of a general election, the period may commence from the beginning of the

hours fixed for poll on the first day of poll and continue till half an hour after closing

of the poll in all the States and Union territories;

¨sÁUÀ – 4

Part – IV

, 23

, 2026

02

1948)

BENGALURU, MONDAY, 23, MARCH, 2026( CHAITHRA , 02, SHAKAVARSHA, 1948)

. 221

No. 221

2

(b) In case of a bye-election or a number of bye-elections held together, the period may

commence from the beginning of the hours fixed for poll on and from the first day of

poll and continue till half an hour after closing of the poll;

Provided that in case of a number of bye-elections held together on different

days, the period may commence from the beginning of the hours fixed for poll on the

first day of poll and continue till half an hour after closing of the last poll.

(3) Any person who contravenes the provisions of this section shall be punishable with

imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or with fine or with both.”

3. Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers under sub-Section (1) of Section 126A of the R.P.

Act, 1951, the Election Commission, having regard to the provisions of sub-Section (2) of the said

Section, hereby notifies the period between 7:00A.M on 9^thApril, 2026 (Thursday) and 6:30 PM

on 29^th April, 2026 (Wednesday), as the period during which conducting and publishing or

publicizing exit pollby 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 election and

bye elections, shall be prohibited.

4. It is further clarified that under Section 126(1)(b) of the R.P. Act, 1951, displaying any election

matter including results of any opinion poll or any other poll survey, in any electronic media, would

be prohibited during the period of 48 hours ending with the hours fixed for the conclusion of the

poll in connection with the aforesaid general elections and bye elections.

By order,

(S. B. Joshi)

PRINCIPAL SECRETAR

(MADHU A C)

Under Secretary to Government,

D.P.A.R (Elections)

3

Annexure-I

Sl.

No.

Name of the State

Number and Name of the AC

1.

Maharashtra

223-Rahuri

2.

201-Baramati

3.

Goa

21-Ponda

4.

Karnataka

24-Bagalkot

5.

107-Davanagere South

6.

Nagaland

28-Koridang(ST)

7.

Tripura

56-Dharmanagar

8.

Gujarat

111-Umreth

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THAMMAIAH

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Date: 2026.03.23 17:03:27 +05'30'