The fact is that the ECI feels that opinion and exit polls will interfere with free and fair elections. This is based on well-known perceptions that opinion polls in India are non-transparent, often sponsored, motivated and biased. With such infirmities, these may amount to disinformation designed to cause ‘undue influence’ which is an ‘electoral offence’ under the IPC and a ‘corrupt practice’ under the Representation of the People Act.
