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disseminate in any other manner, whatsoever, the result of any exit poll during such period, as may be
notified by the Election Commission in this regard.
(2) For the purposes of sub-section (1), the Election Commission shall, by a general order, notify the
date and time having due regard to the following, namely:—
(a) in case of a general election, the period may commence from the beginning of the hours fixed
for poll on the first day of poll and continue till half an hour after closing of the poll in all the States
and Union territories;
(b) in case of a bye-election or a number of bye-election held together, the period may commence
from the beginning of the hours fixed for poll on and from the first day of poll and continue till half
an hour after closing of the poll:
Provided that in case of a number of bye-elections held together on different days, the period may
commence from the beginning of the hours fixed for poll on the first day of poll and continue till half
an hour after closing of the last poll.
(3) Any person who contravenes the provisions of this section shall be punishable with imprisonment
for a term which may extend to two years or with fine or with both.
Explanation.—For the purposes of this section,—
(a) “exit poll” means an opinion survey respecting how electors have voted at an election or
respecting how all the electors have performed with regard to the identification of a political party or
candidate in an election;
(b) “electronic media” includes internet, radio and television including Internet Protocol
Television, satellite, terrestrial or cable channels, mobile and such other media either owned by the
Government or private person or by both;
(c) “print media” includes any newspaper, magazine or periodical, poster, placard, handbill or any
other document;
(d) “dissemination” includes publication in any “print media” or broadcast or display on any
electronic media.
126B. Offences by companies.—(1) Where an offence under sub-section (2) of section 126A has
been committed by a company, every person who, at the time the offence was committed, was in charge
of, and was responsible to the company for the conduct of the business of the company, as well as the
company, shall be deemed to be guilty of the offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and
punished accordingly:
Provided that nothing contained in this sub-section shall render any such person liable to any
punishment provided in this Act if he proves that the offence was committed without his knowledge or
that he exercised all due diligence to prevent the commission of such offence.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), where an offence under this Act has been
committed by a company and it is proved that the offence has been committed with the consent or
connivance of, or is attributable to any neglect on the part of, any director, manager, secretary or other
officer of the company, such director, manager, secretary or other officer shall also be deemed to be guilty
of that offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.
Explanation.—For the purpose of this section,—
(a) “company” means any body corporate, and includes a firm or other association of
individuals; and
(b) “director” in relation to a firm, means a partner in the firm.]
127. Disturbances at election meetings.—(1) Any person who at a public meeting to which this
section applies acts, or incites others to act, in a disorderly manner for the purpose of preventing the
transaction of the business for which the meeting was called together,