Cong approaches Delhi EC over opinion poll in ToI, Times Now

The Delhi unit of the Congress party today approached the State Election Commission against a leading media house that published and aired an opinion poll on the municipal elections.
The Congress has sought action against the 'Times of India' and 'Times Now' for "violating" the Election Commission Guidelines and its Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) by publishing and airing the opinion polls during the 48 hours before the polls.
"This grossly violates the concept of free and fair election, which is the foundation of our democracy," the letter, signed by Congress' Sharmistha Mukherjee and Aman Panwar, said.
It cited relevant guidelines of the Commission that bars media houses from putting out opinion polls "during the period of 48 hours ending with the hour fixed for closing of poll in an election held in a single phase."

Congress said the SOP of the EC puts similar restrictions.
"The undersigned calls upon you to issue an appropriate order censuring the said channels for violating the said guidelines and standard operating procedure," it said, adding that urgent action is required as this may be repeated on the voting day as well.