'Silence Period': what happens 48 hours before polls? | Lok Sabha elections

The first phase of Lok Sabha elections is going to begin on April 19. 48 hours before voting ends, the silence period begins which is also known as pre-election silence. The silence period for the first phase of polls will begin on April 17 at 5 pm.

During this period, all campaign-related or election-related activity is supposed to be halted, and no one, including citizens, journalists, politicians, etc. are allowed to partake in such activity.

All of this comes under Sections 126, 126A and 135C of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 (RP Act), in which all election-related activities, which are activities intended or likely to influence or affect the results of an election like holding public meetings, giving speeches, etc. are prohibited during the silence period.

What is prohibited during the silence period?

1. The sale or distribution of liquor at places like hotels, shops, restaurants, etc., whether public or private, within a polling area is prohibited.

2. Holding public rallies related to elections are not allowed during this period.

3. Candidates and political parties are not allowed to address the media on election-related matters through press conferences or interviews during the silence period.

4. Advertisements, sponsored programmes or reports, including bulk SMSs, are not supposed to be broadcast on platforms like television, or the radio with the intention of influencing the election results

5. It is not allowed to broadcast any news which contains any material that may be construed as influencing or affecting the results of the election.

6. All political content posted on social media platforms requires pre-certification and all social media intermediaries have to ensure that unfair and unethical practices do not happen so as to ensure a free and fair electoral process.

7. No loudspeakers can be used during the silence period.

8. No election matter including results of any Opinion Poll, Exit Poll or any other poll survey, is allowed to be published in any electronic media during the silence period in each of the phases of elections.

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