Election Commission’s Notification Regarding Exit Poll At the Bye-Election to Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly from 98.Erode (East) Assembly Constituency.

No. 34] CHENNAI, FRIDAY, JANUARY 24, 2025 Thai 11, Kurothi, Thiruvalluvar Aandu–2056

Part V—Section 4

Notification by the Election Commission of India

NOTIFICATION BY THE ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA

ELECTION COMMISSION'S NOTIFICATION REGARDING EXIT POLL AT THE BYE-ELECTION TO TAMIL NADU LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY FROM 98.ERODE (EAST) ASSEMBLY CONSTITUENCY No. SRO G-6/2025.

The following Notification of the Election Commission of India, Nirvachan Sadan, Ashoka Road, New Delhi-110 001, dated 22nd January, 2025 is published:-

No.576/EXIT/2025/SDR/Vol.I:- Whereas, the schedule for the current general election to the Legislative Assembly of NCT of Delhi and bye election to 273-Milkipur (SC) Assembly Constituency in Uttar Pradesh & 98-Erode (East) Assembly Constituency in Tamil Nadu has been announced by the Election Commission vide Press Notes No. ECI/PN/169/2025 and No. ECI/PN/170/2025, both dated 07th January, 2025; and

2. Whereas, Section 126A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951(in short R.P. Act, 1951) specifi es 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 notifi ed 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 fi xed

for poll on the fi rst day of poll and continue till half an hour after closing of the poll in all the States and Union

territories;

(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 fi xed for poll on and from the fi rst 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 fi xed for poll on the fi rst 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 fi ne 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 notifi es 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 publicizing exit poll 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.

4. It is further clarifi ed 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 and bye-elections.

(By Order)

S.B. J(cid:3479)(cid:3483)(cid:3472)(cid:3473),

Principal Secretary,

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Election Commission of India.

Secretariat, Chennai-600 009, 24th January, 2025.

ARCHANA PATNAIK, Chief Electoral Offi cer and Secretary to Government, Public (Elections) Department.