ECI to Media: Do Not Predict Election Results
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued an advisory to all the media (electronic and print) outlets to refrain from telecasting or publishing stories which predict the results of the Lok Sabha election and other elections during the prohibited period to ensure free, fair, and transparent election.
The Commission is of the view that prediction of results of elections by astrologers, tarot readers, political analysts or by any person is violation of the spirit of Section 126A of RP Act. Such predictions, according to ECI, can influence the electors of constituencies still going to polls.
According to an official notice, the media is advised not to publish / publicize any such article / program related to the dissemination of results, during the prohibited period: between 7.00 AM on 11.04.2019 (Thursday) and up to 6.30 PM on 19.05.2019 (Sunday) in the current General Elections to the Lok Sabha and State legislative assemblies of Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha, and Sikkim, 2019 and the Assembly bye-elections being held in several states.
