The EC also prohibited the display of any election matter including results of any opinion poll or any other poll survey, in any electronic media, during the period of 48 hours ending with the hours fixed for conclusion of poll in connection with aforesaid general election.
Section 126 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, prohibits display of any election matter by means of television or similar apparatus, during the period of 48 hours till conclusion of poll in a constituency.
It clarified that 'Election matter' has been defined as any matter intended or calculated to influence or affect the result of an election, violation of which under Section 126 of the Representation of People Act, 1951, is punishable with imprisonment up to a period of two years, or with fine or both.
"The Commission notified the period between 8 AM on November 4, the first day of poll in Himachal Pradesh and 5.30 PM on December 17, the last day of poll in Gujarat, as the period during which conducting any exit poll and publishing or publicising by means of the print or electronic media or disseminating in any other manner whatsoever.... Would be prohibited," an EC order said.
