New Delhi, March 30 (NationPress) The Press Council of India has recently urged media outlets to comply with the stipulations set forth in Section 126A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, as well as their own guidelines regarding pre-poll and exit polls. This advisory comes in anticipation of the forthcoming General Elections for the Legislative Assemblies in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Puducherry, as well as bye-elections for eight Assembly constituencies in Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Nagaland, and Tripura.

In its announcement, the Press Council of India stressed the importance of responsible journalism during this critical electoral timeframe. Media organizations were reminded to be aware of the legal restrictions outlined in Section 126A, which prohibits the conducting, publishing, or dissemination of exit poll results during a designated period set by the Election Commission of India.

According to this law, no entity is allowed to conduct exit polls or publicize their outcomes through print, electronic, or any other media during the restricted timeframe. The Election Commission has the authority to declare the dates and times for this prohibition, aligning it with the polling schedule. For general elections, these restrictions commence at the start of polling on the first day and remain in effect until half an hour after polling has concluded in all states and Union Territories.

For bye-elections, the restricted period starts with the first day of polling and lasts until half an hour after the final poll is completed. In cases where multiple bye-elections occur on different dates, the prohibition applies from the beginning of the first polling day until half an hour after the last poll concludes.

The Press Council has also indicated that any infringement of these regulations could lead to significant penalties. Violators of Section 126A could face imprisonment for up to two years, a fine, or both.

Alongside the legal framework, the Council highlighted its 'Norms of Journalistic Conduct, 2022 Edition,' specifically emphasizing the guidelines for pre-poll and exit poll coverage. It reiterated that given the crucial nature of elections in a representative democracy, newspapers must be cautious to avoid becoming platforms for misinformation, manipulation, or propaganda.

The advisory pointed out that the media is increasingly being targeted by individuals with vested interests aiming to sway public sentiment through both subtle and overt methods. This includes narratives based on caste, religion, or ethnicity, as well as allegedly sponsored pre-poll surveys. While blatant communal or seditious content can usually be identified, the manipulation of pre-poll surveys may be less apparent.

To maintain transparency and credibility, the Press Council advised that when newspapers publish pre-poll surveys, they must clearly disclose essential details. This includes the name of the agency that conducted the survey, the entities that commissioned it, the size and type of the sample, the methodology for selecting respondents, and the potential margin of error in the findings.

The Council expressed concerns regarding the release of exit poll data during staggered elections, which are held over multiple phases. It noted that disclosing this information before all phases are completed could unduly influence voters in regions where polling is still pending, thus jeopardizing the integrity of the electoral process.

To protect the sanctity of elections and ensure voters are not swayed by premature disclosures, the Press Council reiterated its guidance that no newspaper should publish exit poll surveys until the final phase of polling has concluded, regardless of their authenticity.

Reinforcing its advisory, the Council called upon all print media outlets to avoid publishing or disseminating any exit poll-related content during the restricted timeframe mandated by Section 126A. It emphasized that strict adherence to these guidelines is crucial for preserving the integrity of the democratic process and fostering public trust in the media.