Election Commission’s Notification Regarding Exit Poll at the General Elections to Tamil Nadu Legislative assembly, 2026.

No.206] CHENNAI, TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2026 Panguni 10, Visuvaavasu, Thiruvalluvar Aandu–2057

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 GENERAL ELECTIONS TO TAMIL NADU LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY, 2026.

No. SRO G-12/2026.

The following Notification of the Election Commission of India, Nirvachan Sadan, Ashoka Road, New Delhi- 110 001, dated 20th March 2026 is published:-

No.576/EXIT/2026/SDR/Vol.I:-Whereas, the schedule for the current General election to the Legislative Assemblies of Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Puducherry and bye-elections to 8 Assembly Constituencies in 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 both dated 15th 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;

(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 7:00 A.M on 9th April, 2026 (Thursday) and 6:30 PM on 29th April, 2026 (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 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 election and bye elections.

(By Order)

S.B. Joshi,

Principal Secretary,

Election Commission of India.

Secretariat, Chennai-600 009, 24th March, 2026.

ARCHANA PATNAIK,

Chief Electoral Officer and

Principal Secretary to Government,

Public (Elections) Department.

Annexure - I

(By Order)

S.B. Joshi,

Principal Secretary,

Election Commission of India.

Secretariat, Chennai-600 009, 24th March, 2026.

ARCHANA PATNAIK,

Chief Electoral Officer and

Principal Secretary to Government,

Public (Elections) Department.