SC Rejects PIL Seeking Ban on Opinion Polls: Report
A PIL seeking a ban on opinion polls conducted by various pollsters and the media, was rejected by SC.
A PIL (Public Interest Litigation) seeking a ban on opinion polls conducted by various organisations, pollsters and the media, was rejected by the Supreme Court on Friday, 9 March, news agency ANI reported.
Opinion polls and exit polls are aimed at predicting poll results of upcoming elections through surveys based on public opinion. They are conducted by gathering the views of a particular group or community.
The Election Commission (EC) had announced that exit poll results for Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat assembly elections cannot be made public before state polls in December.
Section 126 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, prohibits displaying any election matter by means, inter alia, of television or similar apparatus, during the period of 48 hours before the hour fixed for conclusion of poll in a constituency, as per the Election Commission.
However, a government press release says that during the period not covered by Section 126 or Section 126A, concerned TV or Radio channels are free to approach the authorities for necessary permission for conducting any broadcast-related events.
It further adds that the media must also conform to the provisions of the model code of conduct and the programme code laid down by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting under the Cable Network (Regulation) Act with regard to decency, maintenance of communal harmony, etc.
(With inputs from ANI)
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