Bye elections to 24 Bagalkot and 107 Davanagere South ACs 2026 Exit Poll

(cid:315)(cid:175)ೇಷ (cid:170)ಾಜ(cid:205) ಪ(cid:294)(cid:206)(cid:144)ೆ ¨sÁU À – 4 , 23 , 2026 02 1948) . 221 Part – IV BENGALURU, MONDAY, 23, MARCH, 2026( CHAITHRA , 02, SHAKAVARSHA, 1948) No. 221 PERSONNEL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REFORMS SECRETARIAT (ELECTIONS)

NOTIFICATION No. DPAR 47 CHUVISA 2026, BENGALURU, Dated: 23rd March, 2026.

The following Notification No.No. 576/EXIT/2026/SDR/Vol.I, dated: 20th March, 2026

of the Election Commission of India is published hereunder for general information:- ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA Nirvachan Sadan, Ashoka Road, New Delhi – 110001 No. 576/EXIT/2026/SDR/Vol.I Dated: 20th March, 2026

NOTIFICATION

Whereas, the schedule for the currentGeneral election to the Legislative Assemblies of Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Puducherry and bye-elections to 8 Assembly Constituenciesin 6 States(as per Annexure-I)have been announced by the Election Commission vide Press Notes No.

ECI/PN/029/2026 and No. ECI/PN/030/2026 bothdated 15th March, 2026; and

2. Whereas, Section 126A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951(in short R.P. Act, 1951) specifies that “(1) No person shall conduct any exit poll and publish or publicise by means of the print or electronic media or disseminate in any other manner, whatsoever, the result of any exit poll during such period, as may be notified by the Election Commission in this regard.

(2) For the purposes of sub-section (1), the Election Commission shall, by a general order, notify the date and time having due regard to the following, namely: —

(a) in case of a general election, the period may commence from the beginning of the hours fixed for poll on the first day of poll and continue till half an hour after closing of the poll in all the States and Union territories;

(1)2

(b) In case of a bye-election or a number of bye-elections held together, the period may commence from the beginning of the hours fixed for poll on and from the first day of poll and continue till half an hour after closing of the poll;

Provided that in case of a number of bye-elections held together on different days, the period may commence from the beginning of the hours fixed for poll on the first day of poll and continue till half an hour after closing of the last poll.

(3) Any person who contravenes the provisions of this section shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or with fine or with both.”

3. Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers under sub-Section (1) of Section 126A of the R.P.

Act, 1951, the Election Commission, having regard to the provisions of sub-Section (2) of the said

Section, hereby notifies the period between 7:00A.M on 9thApril, 2026 (Thursday) and 6:30 PM on 29th April, 2026 (Wednesday), as the period during which conducting and publishing or publicizing exit pollby means of the print or electronic media or dissemination in any other manner whatsoever, the result of any exit poll in connection with the aforesaid general election and bye elections, shall be prohibited.

4. It is further clarified that under Section 126(1)(b) of the R.P. Act, 1951, displaying any election matter including results of any opinion poll or any other poll survey, in any electronic media, would be prohibited during the period of 48 hours ending with the hours fixed for the conclusion of the poll in connection with the aforesaid general elections and bye elections.

By order, (S. B. Joshi) PRINCIPAL SECRETAR (MADHU A C) Under Secretary to Government, D.P.A.R (Elections)R.N.I. No. KARBIL/2001/47147 POSTAL REGN. No. RNP/KA/BGS/2202/2017-19 Licensed to post without prepayment WPP No. 297 3 Annexure-I Sl.

Name of the State Number and Name of the AC No.

1. 223-Rahuri Maharashtra

2. 201-Baramati

3. Goa 21-Ponda

4. 24-Bagalkot Karnataka

5. 107-Davanagere South

6. Nagaland 28-Koridang(ST)

7. Tripura 56-Dharmanagar

8. Gujarat 111-Umreth [ ಮುದ(cid:206)ಕರು (cid:178)ಾಗೂ ಪ(cid:206)(cid:144)ಾಶಕರು:- ಸಂಕಲ(cid:163)ಾ(cid:297)(cid:144)ಾ(cid:312)ಗಳ(cid:133), ಕ(cid:163)ಾ(cid:143)ಟಕ (cid:170)ಾಜ(cid:205)ಪತ(cid:206), ಸ(cid:144)ಾ(cid:143)(cid:312) (cid:144)ೇಂದ(cid:206) ಮುದ(cid:206)(cid:158)ಾಲಯ, (cid:166)ೆಂಗಳ(cid:136)ರು