Even astrologers and tarot card readers cannot make predictions

-Announcement made by the Commission regarding Bihar elections

- Exit polls are banned

New Delhi on Friday 16th October 2020

The Election Commission had clarified that there was a ban on exit polls during the Bihar Assembly elections. The ban also applied to astrologers, tarot card readers and so-called election experts as well as reviewers.

Bihar will go to the polls in three phases from the end of this month. Guiding the print and electronic media for this, the Election Commission said to stay away from such rumors or predictions during the ban period. The ban was deemed necessary for free, fair and just elections.

In fact, the Election Commission announced the ban at the end of March 2017 under Section 126A of the Representation of the People Act. Now, on the eve of the Bihar elections, the commission has once again informed the print and electronic media of its ban. The commission also clarified that violators of the ban would be charged under the Indian Penal Code and the Criminal Procedure Code.

The ban was announced in March 2017 in memory of astrologers, tarot card readers as well as election experts and so-called reviewers, recalling election experiences in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Goa and Manipur. The ban will be in effect from 7 a.m. on October 28 (Wednesday) until 6 p.m. on Saturday, November 7. Elections will be held in Bihar on October 28, November 3 and November 7.