MCD elections: Delhi EC issues notice to 2 channels for airing opinion polls

The Delhi State Election Commission (SEC) has sent notices to two private news channels for airing opinion polls on the MCD elections held today.
The two channels -- Times Now and ABP News -- have been asked to give reasons for airing the opinion polls in violation of Election Commission guidelines, SEC officials said at a press conference here.
The Delhi unit of the Congress had yesterday approached the SEC against a leading media house which had published and aired opinion polls on the municipal elections.
The party had sought action against the 'Times of India' and 'Times Now' for "violating" the guidelines and Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) of the Election Commission by publishing and airing opinion polls during the 48-hour period preceding the closing of polls.

"This grossly violates the concept of a free-and-fair election, which is the foundation of our democracy," the letter, signed by Congress leaders Sharmistha Mukherjee and Aman Panwar, had said.
It had cited the relevant guidelines of the commission which barred 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".