Indian Election Commission Imposes Restrictions on Exit Polls and Campaign Activities Ahead of Assembly Elections

The Election Commission has prohibited the publication and circulation of exit polls from 7 am on each state’s polling day until 6:30 pm, applying the restriction to all Assembly elections being held across the country this month. The panel warned that anyone violating Section 126A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, could face up to two years in jail, a fine, or both. Assam will vote alongside Kerala and Puducherry on April 9, while Tamil Nadu goes to the polls on April 23, and West Bengal holds elections on April 23 and 29. As part of election rules, Assam will observe a 48-hour “silence period” starting at 5 pm on April 7. During this time, all rallies, public meetings, and campaign activities are banned, though limited door-to-door outreach is allowed. To reinforce the restrictions, the Kamrup (Metropolitan) administration has issued prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, to maintain law and order during the polls. District Magistrate and District Election Officer Swapneel Paul clarified that public gatherings of five or more people are not allowed, except near polling stations where voters need access to cast their ballots.