The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Tamil Nadu, Archana Patnaik, has announced that opinion polls and surveys related to the upcoming by-election for the Erode East Assembly constituency are strictly prohibited during the 48 hours preceding the conclusion of polling. This directive aligns with provisions under the Representation of the People Act, 1951.In a press release, the CEO highlighted that the Election Commission of India (ECI) has also imposed a ban on the publication or dissemination of exit polls in connection with the by-election. This restriction applies to all forms of media, including print, electronic, and digital platforms.
The by-election for the Erode East Assembly segment is scheduled to take place on February 5, with polling hours set from 7:00 am to 6:30 pm.
The CEO warned that any individual found violating these regulations would face legal consequences, which could include imprisonment for up to two years, a fine, or both. The stringent measures are intended to ensure free and fair elections without any undue influence on voters during the critical period.
The Election Commission’s efforts to maintain the sanctity of the electoral process underline the importance of compliance with these guidelines by all stakeholders.
