Central Govt plans to ban exit, opinion polls

TAKING THE LEAD: Election Commission had asked for such a ban almost nine years ago.

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New Delhi: The Central Government is planning to clamp down on exit and opinion polls, saying these influence voting behaviour especially when elections are held in phases.

The Union Cabinet will discuss on Thursday a Law Ministry proposal to suitably amend and insert a new section, 126 (B), in the Representation of People's Act, 1951 to stop exit and opinion polls.

The move comes ahead of Assembly elections in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Delhi and Mizoram are due in November-December and the General Elections next year.

Also elections to the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly need to be completed by January 10 as Governor's rule was imposed on July 10.

The proposed ban would be from the date of notification of polls and remain in force till the completion of last phase of elections.

The opinion polls could be banned till the last phase of the elections.

If the proposal is approved then the Bill to amend law will be tabled in Parliament in the coming session.

The Election Commission had asked for such a ban almost nine years ago but it was stayed by the Supreme Court saying it violated the Freedom of Speech and Expression.

All the major political parties including the Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Left have already been consulted and are in favour of such a restriction.