Source: Posted On: 26 OCT 2025 3:58PM by PIB Delhi
The Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the schedule for the General Election to Legislative Assembly of Bihar and bye-elections on October 6, 2025. Polling in the Bihar elections will be held in two phases on November 6, 2025 and November 11, 2025 respectively.
Silence Period Regulations (Section 126)
Section 126 (1)(b) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, prohibits displaying any election matter by means, inter alia, of television or similar apparatus, in any polling area during the period of forty-eight hours (silence period) ending with the hour fixed for the conclusion of the poll for any election in that polling area.
Restrictions on Content Telecast
The Commission reiterates that the TV/Radio channels and cable networks should ensure that the contents of the programmes telecast/broadcast/displayed by them during the period of 48 hours referred to in the above section do not contain any material, including views/appeals by panellists/participants that may be construed as promoting/prejudicing the prospect of any particular party or candidate(s) or influencing/affecting the result of the election. This includes display of any opinion poll.
Exit Poll Prohibition (Section 126A)
The Commission under Section 126A of the R.P. Act 1951, has notified that the conduct of Exit poll and dissemination of their results by means of print or electronic media is prohibited between 7:00 AM on November 6, 2025 (Thursday) and 6.30 PM on November 11, 2025 (Tuesday).
Penalties and Media Advisory
Violation of Section 126 of the R.P. Act, 1951 is punishable with imprisonment upto a period of two years, or with fine or both.
The Commission advises all Media houses to follow instructions in this regard in keeping with its spirit.