The election campaign for all three phases of the Assam Assembly election will end 48 hours prior to the close of polls, that is on Thursday, according to EC.

“In this regard, the election campaign in 47 Assam Assembly constituencies under Phase I will come to an end at 6 pm on March 25, i.e., 48 hours prior to the close of polls on March 27,” ECI said in a statement.

“This is in accordance with the Election Commission’s guidelines under the provisions enacted in Section 126 of Representation of Peoples’ Act, 1951,” he said.

According to the guidelines, during this period, no person shall convene, hold or attend, join or address any public meetings, processions, etc, and display of election matter by means of television and similar apparatus.

The election commission also bans propagation of any election matter to the public by organizing any musical concert or any theatrical performance or any other entertainment or amusement with a view to attracting the members of the public, in any polling area during the period of 48 hours ending with the hour fixed for the conclusion of the poll.

The result of any exit or opinion poll conducted shall not be published, publicized or disseminated in any manner by print, electronic or any other media at any time during the period of 48 hours ending with the hour fixed for closing of poll.

This ban will continue till voting in all the states where ECI notified election simultaneously is finally over.

The motive of this prohibition is to maintain a silent period to the electors in the run up to the actual polling day. Violation of these rules will result in severe punishment like imprisonment for a term which may exceed two years.