New Delhi: With the Bihar Assembly elections and bypolls approaching, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued stringent guidelines to ensure a fair electoral process.
The ECI has imposed a strict ban on election-related content, discussions, opinion polls, and exit polls during the 48-hour silence period before voting, warning of severe consequences for violators.
The elections, scheduled for November 6 and 11, 2025, in two phases, will see the silence period enforced to allow voters to make informed choices without external influence.
This critical window, mandated under Section 126(1)(b) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, prohibits the broadcast or publication of any election-related material via television, radio, or similar platforms. Violators face up to two years of imprisonment, a fine, or both.
The ECI has also banned exit polls and their dissemination through print or electronic media from 7:00 am on November 6 to 6:30 pm on November 11, 2025, under Section 126A of the Act. Media outlets have been directed to refrain from airing programmes or debates that could sway voters during this period. “The silence period ensures voters can reflect on candidates’ promises and actions in a calm environment,” an ECI official stated.