The Hindu : National / Elections 2004 : 'EC should seek court direction on opinion polls'

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Tuesday, Apr 06, 2004

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National - Elections 2004

'EC should seek court direction on opinion polls'

By Our Staff Correspondent

NEW DELHI, APRIL 5. The former Chief Election Commissioner, M.S. Gill, has suggested that the Election Commission move the Supreme Court before the first phase of polling on April 20 for a "considered decision and direction" on exit and opinion polls which, according to him, are not acceptable in an advanced democracy since they impinged upon the choice of a voter.

Speaking to The Hindu here on the eve of an all-party meeting convened by the Election Commission on the issue tomorrow, Mr. Gill said that the exit and opinion polls had a serious impact on the fairness of democracy, particularly when polling was spread over a long period of time now. "I am sure that exactly at one minute past five on April 20, some channel or agency will come up with a poll that will give a favourable opinion for one political party and not favour the other. It can gravely impinge on the calm choice of the voters," he said adding that he was compelled to give out the statement as a professional duty and in his new role as a Rajya Sabha member from Punjab.

According to Mr. Gill, several countries had banned exit and opinion polls from two hours to two weeks before and after polling, Even in India, campaigning was stopped 48 hours before polling to allow the voter to reflect on his choice of candidate as his vote would have implications for the next five years. "Commercial and political interests cannot be allowed to distort his reflection," he said.

As CEC, Mr. Gill had stopped exit and opinion polls but these were re-started soon after. "Someone must move the Supreme Court, even if it is the Election Commission, to settle down the matter of "wild and free" commercially pushed elections," he said.

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