2026 Assembly Elections: Why Are Exit Polls Banned Till 6.30 PM? Section 126A Explained

Last Updated:April 29, 2026, 15:17 IST

The ban is mandatory under Section 126A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which ensures that the democratic process remains untainted by premature data projections

India must wait till 6.30 pm for the publication of exit polls for the 2026 assembly elections, which will conclude with the second phase polling in West Bengal on Wednesday.

With the earlier phases beginning on April 9, elections were conducted in Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry, followed by Tamil Nadu and the first phase in West Bengal on April 23.

A strict media blackout, however, has remained in force regarding voter projections. This is not a matter of choice for news outlets but a mandatory requirement under Section 126A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which ensures that the democratic process remains untainted by premature data projections.

WHAT IS SECTION 126A?

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued a specific notification for the 2026 assembly elections, enforcing a ban on the dissemination of exit polls from 7 am on April 9 to 6.30 pm on April 29.

This legal provision, which was inserted into the Representation of the People Act in 2009, was specifically designed to address the unique challenges posed by India’s staggered, multi-phase election schedules. Unlike Section 126, which governs the 48-hour “silence period" of campaigning before a specific election, Section 126A specifically targets exit polls across the entire duration of the multi-phase polls.

This is to maintain a “level playing field" for all candidates and parties. By prohibiting the publication of surveys through print, electronic, or digital media, the Election Commission (EC) ensures that the democratic environment remains “information-neutral" for those voting in the final stages of the election.

WHAT IS THE ‘BANDWAGON EFFECT’?

The logic behind this restriction is the protection of voter autonomy. Election bodies are particularly concerned about the “bandwagon effect", which is a psychological phenomenon where early data might unfairly influence the minds of undecided voters.

If exit poll results from early phases or neighbouring states were published while others were still waiting to vote, it could create a perceived momentum or a sense of inevitability for a particular party. Such projections could create a “wave" that might not reflect the actual ground reality, yet could sway the decisions of those in later phases.

This is especially critical in closely contested states like West Bengal, where the election has been a marathon rather than a sprint. The ban prevents a situation where voters in the final phase are influenced by the predicted outcomes of the 824 assembly seats being contested across the various states and Union territory.

WHAT IS THE ‘LAST VOTE’ RULE AND 30-MINUTE BUFFER?

While polling officially concludes at 6 pm on the final day, the EC extends the exit poll ban until 6.30 pm. This additional half-hour acts as a critical buffer to ensure that even the last voters waiting in line at the closing hour have finished casting their ballot without outside influence.

This “last vote" rule ensures that every single voter, regardless of when their phase is, enjoys the same neutral voting environment. Media outlets and news networks must wait until this precise deadline passes before they are permitted to begin broadcasting their projections and seat surveys.

For regions like Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry, where polling concluded as early as April 9, the wait for data has lasted nearly three weeks.

WHAT HAPPENS IN CASE OF VIOLATIONS?

The EC views any breach of this “silence period" as a serious electoral offence. Disseminating results before the specified deadline is a punishable criminal offence under the law.

Individuals or organisations, such as news channels and digital platforms, that violate Section 126A face severe penalties – imprisonment for a term that may extend up to two years; a significant monetary fine; and, in some instances, the imposition of both a fine and imprisonment.

As the 6.30 pm deadline passes, the wait for information will finally end allowing pollsters to release their data for the contested seats in four states and one UT. Even as these projections emerge, the official counting of votes and the formal declaration of winners will not take place until May 4. While exit polls offer a glimpse into public sentiment, they are not the final word in the democratic process.

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