SEC bans opinion and exit polls during civic election phases

Maharashtra Election Commission, which today announced schedule for elections to municipal corporations and zilla parishads, has banned opinion and exit polls between February 14 and February 21.
Ten municipal corporations, including Mumbai, Thane and Pune, will go to polls on February 21 whereas 25 zilla parishad and 283 panchayat samitis in two phases on February 16 and 21. Counting of votes will be done on February 23.
"The opinion and exit polls are banned from February 14 till February 21, when the last phase of voting will be over. The decision is taken to avoid any controversy and influence over the next elections (as they are held in phases)," State Election Commissioner J S Saharia said.

For the first phase of polls, nominations are to be filed between January 27 and February 1, which can be withdrawn by February 10.
"The voting will take place on February 16. Similarly, the nominations are to be filed between February 1 and 6 for the second phase of elections. It can be withdrawn by February 15 and voting will take place on February 21," he said.
He said the SEC has decided to rope in some colleges, institutes and hospitality sectors to increase voter turnout through initiation of various activities.
"Though the voting percentage is above 60% in Assembly segments, the same voters do not turn out in large numbers for local elections," Saharia said.