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Assam Polls: ECI Bans Exit Polls from April 9-29 to Ensure Fair Elections

The Election Commission of India has prohibited the conduct and dissemination of exit polls from April 9 to April 29 for the upcoming Assam Legislative Assembly elections. Chief Election Officer Anurag Goel has called on media houses and stakeholders to strictly follow these rules to ensure a free and fair electoral process. The election will see the incumbent BJP-led government under Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma seeking a third consecutive term against a Congress challenge. In the 2021 elections, the NDA alliance secured a majority with 75 seats, while the Congress-led grand alliance won only 16.

Key Points: ECI Bans Exit Polls for Assam Assembly Elections 2026

  • Exit poll ban from April 9-29
  • 48-hour pre-poll silence on election matter
  • BJP seeks third term vs Congress challenge
  • 2021 voter turnout was 86.2%
2 min read

ECI bans displaying Exit Polls from April 9 to 29 for upcoming Assam polls

Election Commission prohibits exit poll display from April 9 to 29 for Assam polls. Chief Electoral Officer urges media compliance for fair elections.

"strictly adhere to these provisions to ensure the conduct of free, fair, and transparent elections - Chief Election Officer Anurag Goel"

Guwahati, March 25

The Election Commission of India, in exercise of the powers conferred under sub-Section 1 of Section 126A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and having regard to the provisions of sub-Section of the said Act, has notified the period during which the conduct and dissemination of exit polls shall be prohibited, according to a press release.

Accordingly, the period from 7 am on April 9 (Thursday) to 6:30 pm on April 29 (Wednesday) has been declared as the prohibited period for conducting, publishing, or disseminating exit polls by means of print or electronic media or dissemination in any other manner whatsoever, in connection with the ongoing General Election to the Legislative Assembly of Assam, 2026.

Further, it is clarified that as per Section 126(1)(b) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, the display of any election matter, including the results of any opinion poll or any other poll survey, in any electronic media shall be prohibited during the period of 48 hours ending with the hour fixed for the conclusion of the poll in connection with the General Election.

As per the ECI statement, the Chief Election Officer of Assam, Anurag Goel, has urged all the media houses, agencies, and stakeholders to strictly adhere to these provisions to ensure the conduct of free, fair, and transparent elections.

Meanwhile, Assam will witness a fight between the incumbent BJP-led NDA government and Congress for the 126-seat assembly.

The BJP government, led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, will look to secure a third consecutive term, while the Congress aims to defeat the ruling party to return to power.

In the 2021 Assembly elections, the NDA, comprising the BJP, AGP and United People's Party Liberal (UPPL), won 75 seats, with the BJP alone winning 60 seats. The Congress and AIUDF had formed a grand alliance along with the BPF and the communist parties, but the alliance performed poorly with just 16 seats out of 126.

Voter turnout was as high as 86.2 per cent with over 2. 2 crore registered voters in 2021.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
This is standard procedure, but it's crucial for Assam. With such high voter turnout, we need to ensure the process is completely fair. No channel should try to bypass these rules.
R
Rohit P
Honestly, I find most exit polls to be unreliable anyway. Last time many were way off the mark. Better to wait for the actual results on counting day. ECI is right to ban them during the voting period.
S
Sarah B
While I understand the intent, a complete ban feels a bit restrictive. In mature democracies, exit poll data is often discussed with proper disclaimers. Perhaps there's a middle ground?
H
Harsh A
Bhai, sabse important yeh hai ki media houses follow karein. Pichle elections mein bhi aisa hi rule tha, phir bhi kuch channels ne borderline content dikhaya tha. Strict action lena chahiye agar koi tootega.
M
Meera T
Good step for a free and fair election. The focus should be on voter awareness and participation, not on speculative journalism. Let's see if the grand alliance can put up a better fight this time.

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