Notification on No Campaign Period and Exit Poll-NC Election 2023

Notification on No Campaign Period and Exit Poll.

This is for information of the general public that Section 305 of the Election Act of the Kingdom of Bhutan, 2008 provides:

“No candidate or political party shall convene public meetings and campaign on the day of the poll and during forty-eight hours preceding the hour fixed for commencement of poll.”

In keeping with the above provision, no campaign period for the fourth National Council Elections shall begin from 8:00 am of 18th April, 2023 till the closure of the Polls on 20th April, 2023.

During this period, no one is allowed to publish, broadcast, or transmit any material that is in the nature of election campaign, supporting or opposing any candidate in any media platform. However, the authorized campaign materials pasted during the campaign period may be retained as it is if they are not within 100 meters of a polling station. Further, no one shall arrange, organize, conduct, undertake, introduce, issue, release or finalize any public activity, event or decision that has potential to sway voters in favour of or against a candidate or be exploited for electoral gains. Any individual or candidate resorting to any such unlawful acts shall be dealt with as per the laws.

It is also reminded that Section 343 of the Election Act of the Kingdom of Bhutan, 2008 prohibits Exit Polls and specifically provides that:

No person shall broadcast, telecast or publish before the close of poll, any:

(a) Statement or news relating to the manner in which voters have voted at the elections;
(b) Public opinion survey reports on the elections shall not be released to the general public prior to closure of the poll; or
(c) Forecasts or predictions relating to the probable result of the elections based on the information provided by or obtained from, voters or observers at the elections.

The Election Commission seeks the understanding, support and full cooperation of the general public for ensuring compliance with this Order. This is aimed at fulfilling the noble intention of providing conducive time and space for proper reflection and exercise of franchise by the electorate so as to achieve the aspiration of the nation to elect the most worthy members of National Council through the Fourth National Council Elections.

Chief Election Commissioner of Bhutan