BYE ELECTION

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA REGD. No. D. L.-33002/99 Delhi Gazette SG-DL-E-24012025-260445 EXTRAORDINARY PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY No. 08] DELHI, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2025/ MAGHA 02, 1946 [N. C. T. D. No. 360 PART II-I GOVERNMENT OF THE NATIONAL CAPITAL TERRITORY OF DELHI OFFICE OF THE CHIEF ELECTORAL OFFICER, DELHI NOTIFICATION Delhi, the 22nd January 2025 No. CEO/COE/102(2)/2025/1449.— The following is published for general information: — ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA NOTIFICATION New Delhi, the 22nd January 2025 No.576/EXIT/2025/SDR/Vol.-I.—Whereas, the schedule for the current general election to the Legislative Assembly of NCT of Delhi and bye election to 273-Milkipur (SC) Assembly Constituency in Uttar Pradesh & 98-Erode (East) Assembly Constituency in Tamil Nadu has been announced by the Election Commission vide Press Notes No. ECI/PN/169/2025 and No. ECI/PN/170/2025 both dated 07th January, 2025; and 2. Whereas, Section 126A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951(in short R.P. Act, 1951) specifies that "(1) No person shall conduct any exit poll and publish or publicise by means of the print or electronic media or disseminate in any other manner, whatsoever, the result of any exit poll during such period, as may be notified by the Election Commission in this regard. (2) For the purposes of sub-section (1), the Election Commission shall, by a general order, notify the date and time having due regard to the following, namely: (a) in case of a general election, the period may commence from the beginning of the hours fixed for poll on the first day of poll and continue till half an hour after closing of the poll in all the States and Union territories; (b) In case of a bye-election or a number of bye-elections held together, the period may commence from the beginning of the hours fixed for poll on and from the first day of poll and continue till half an hour after closing of the poll; Provided that in case of a number of bye-elections held together on different days, the period may commence from the beginning of the hours fixed for poll on the first day of poll and continue till half an hour after closing of the last poll. (3) Any person who contravenes the provisions of this section shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or with fine or with both.” 3. Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers under sub-Section (1) of Section 126A of the R.P. Act, 1951, the Election Commission, having regard to the provisions of Sub-Section (2) of the said Section, hereby notifies the period between 7.00 A.M. to 6.30 P.M. on 05.02.2025 (Wednesday) as the period during which conducting and publishing or publicizing exit poll by means of the print or electronic media or dissemination in any other manner whatsoever, the result of any exit poll in connection with the aforesaid General and bye elections, shall be prohibited. 4. It is further clarified that under Section 126(1)(b) of the R.P. Act, 1951, displaying any election matter including results of any opinion poll or any other poll survey, in any electronic media, would be prohibited during the period of 48 hours ending with the hours fixed for the conclusion of the poll in connection with the aforesaid general and bye-elections. By Order, S. B. JOSHI, Principal Secy. By Order RAJESH KUMAR, Special Chief Electoral Officer, Delhi