NEW DELHI:A criminal case has been launched against the managing director of Resource Development International and the Chief Editor of the largest circulating Hindi daily Dainik Jagran on charges of conducting and publishing an “exit poll” report soon after polling for 73 seats in the first phase of Uttar Pradesh assembly elections which was held on February 11.
The Election Commission of India has directed the District Election officers to file a case under 188 of the Indian Penal Code read with Sec 126 A and B of RP ACT 51. Also, the Chief Election Officer has been asked to submit compliance by 6 p.m. on February 13.
“The act by Dainik Jagran is a clear violation of Section 126 A &B of the Representation of the People Act and wilful disobedience of lawful directions of the Commission under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code,” said an EC spokesperson.
The Hindi daily published the feedback of the people on the first phase of the UP assembly elections claiming that the Bharatiya Janata Party will be the top party, Bahujan Samaj Party will be in the second position and the newly formed alliance of Congress and Samajwadi Party will be in the third position.
According to the Election Commission’s directions, the exit polls cannot be conducted and publicized by means of print and electronic media or dissemination or by any other mean 7 AM to March 8, 2017, at 5.30 PM.