Voting Ends In Assam, Kerala, And Puducherry: Why Are Exit Polls Not Out Yet?

Last Updated:April 09, 2026, 6:38 PM IST

According to Election Commission’s mandate, exit polls cannot be conducted or disseminated from 7 am on April 9 until 6.30 pm on April 29.

An elderly woman shows her ink-marked finger after casting vote at a polling station in Guwahati. (Photo: PTI)

With the conclusion of voting for Assembly elections in Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry, attention now shifts to exit polls. However, exit poll results will not be released immediately due to restrictions imposed by the Election Commission.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has enforced a strict ban on the conduct and publication of exit polls during the ongoing Assembly elections across five states and one Union Territory, citing legal provisions designed to ensure free and fair polling.

According to the Commission, exit polls cannot be conducted or disseminated from 7 am on April 9 until 6.30 pm on April 29. The restriction covers all media platforms and agencies, including television channels, print publications, digital portals and other outlets involved in election coverage.

The poll body has cautioned that any breach of this directive will invite penal action under section 126A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. Conducting or broadcasting exit polls during the prohibited period is punishable with imprisonment of up to two years, or with a fine, or both.

Assembly elections are being held in Kerala, Assam and Puducherry on April 9, while Tamil Nadu will go to the polls on April 23. In West Bengal, voting will take place in two phases, on April 23 and 29.

Also Read | Tamil Nadu Election 2026: Opinion Poll Predicts Razor-Thin Contest Between DMK And AIADMK-Led Alliance

The Commission has also reiterated the enforcement of the mandatory 48-hour ‘silence period’ before the close of polling in each state. In Kerala and Puducherry, this silence period begins at 6 pm on Tuesday, while in Assam it starts at 5 pm. During this period, all forms of public campaigning must come to a halt.

The silence period is defined as the 48 hours preceding the end of voting in a particular constituency or the entire state, during which electioneering activities are heavily restricted. Apart from door-to-door campaigning by a limited number of party workers or the candidate, no other form of canvassing is permitted.

Also Read | Bengal Election 2026: Opinion Poll Predicts Comfortable Victory For TMC; Mamata Preferred CM Choice

Officials admit that implementing these restrictions has become more difficult in the digital era, as social media and online platforms offer new channels for political messaging that are harder to monitor and control.

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