The Election Commission on Thursday issued guidelines for print and electronic media, advising under Section 126 of the Representation of the People Act (RPA) 1951, to refrain from telecasting or publishing programmes like predictions by astrologers, tarot readers, political analysts or anyone during the “prohibited period,” saying this would be a violation of the Representation of the People Act.
It has also advised both the electronic and print media to refrain from telecasting/publishing similar programmes in future elections during the prohibited period when the model code of conduct is in force.
“The Commission is of the view that prediction of the results of elections in any form or any manner by way of predictions by astrologers, tarot readers, political analysts or by any persons during the prohibited period is violation of the spirit of Section 126A of the Representatives of People Act 1951,” the Commission said.
During recently concluded Assembly polls in five States, one of the news channel had telecast prediction of exit polls by astrologers.
It has also clarified that Section 126 A (1) of RP Act, 1951 provides that “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.”
The order further said despite the provisions of the Act and the notification from the EC - disallowing printing or telecasting of such programmes, from February 4, 2017 till 5.30 pm of March 9, 2017, “some of the TV channels telecast certain programmes projecting the numbers of seats likely to be won by political parties”.
The EC clarification came in the run up to the by-polls in three lok Sabha seats and 12 assembly seats next month. During elections, the Commission has been receiving allegations of violation of the provisions of act by TV channels in the telecast of their panel discussions/debates and other news and current affairs programmes.
The Commission said that despite the above provisions of 126 A and notification of the Commission, it has been observed that some of the TV channels telecast certain programmes projecting the numbers of seat likely to be won by political parties.
“This was done during the period during which exit polls and dissemination of their results were prohibited, in one of the channels, the panelists on the show who were persons from different fields including political analysts put forward the projected number of seats likely to be won by different political parties in Uttar Pradesh,” it said.
