No decision taken on banning opinion polls: Cong

Too many contradictory views on Election Commission's proposal

Congress today said it had "not taken a decision" on the issue of banning opinion polls as there are "too contradictory views" on the proposal of the Election Commission in this regard.

The EC has proposed to ban the publication of opinion polls during elections.

Congress spokesperson P C Chacko said there were divergent views among political parties on it as the issue stretch from that of freedom of expression to conduct of free and fair elections.

"We have not taken a decision. There are too contradictory views on it. Election Commission's proposal is more strict and wider. May be a decision has to be taken," he told reporters.

Law Minister Kapil Sibal, had, yesterday said that there is no move "at this time" to ban opinion polls and said such a decision cannot be taken without consulting Opposition parties.

"There is no move to ban opinion polls at this time," Sibal told PTI.

He had also said "As it is, no government should ban opinion polls without consulting political parties."

Earlier, sources in the government had said any decision to ban opinion polls will be taken after consulting the Election Commission which had moved the proposal.

Sibal had recently told the Lok Sabha that "as regards pre-poll election survey, there is a proposal of the EC to restrict the publication of opinion polls during elections. The proposal is under consideration of the government".

On June 13, Attorney General G E Vahanvati had supported the Commission's proposal to ban publication and broadcast of opinion polls between the announcement of election schedule and the final phase of polling.

The existing law allows EC to ban them just 48 hours prior to voting.

The poll panel has proposed that there should be a prohibition on publication and broadcast of the results of opinion polls starting from the date of notification of elections till the completion of the last phase of polls to Lok Sabha and state assemblies.