Campaign for the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections concluded on April 17 and the silence period came into effect for 48 hours.

As many as 102 seats across 21 states and Union Territories will go to the polls on April 19 in the first of the seven-phase elections.

What is 48-hour silence period before polling?

• All activities related to election campaigning are halted during period of 48 hours ending with hour fixed for conclusion of voting.

• Section 126 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 prohibits election campaign activities through public meetings, processions, etc, and displaying of election matter by means of television and similar apparatus, in any polling area during the period of 48 hours ending with the hour fixed for the conclusion of the voting for any election in the polling area.

• The purpose sought to be served by this prohibition is to provide a period of tranquil (silence period) for the electors before the voting day.

• In a multi-phased election, the silence period of the last 48 hours may be on in certain constituencies while campaigning is ongoing in other constituencies. In such an event, there should not be any direct or indirect reference amounting to soliciting support for parties or candidates in the constituencies observing the silence period.

• During the silence period, star campaigners and other political leaders should refrain from addressing the media by way of press conferences and giving interviews on election matters.

• “Election matter” has been defined as any matter intended or calculated to influence or affect the result of an election.

• Section 126(1)(b) of RP Act, 1951 prohibits displaying any election matter including results of any opinion poll or any other poll survey, in any electronic media during this 48-hour period in each of the phases of elections.

• Political advertisements on any election matter in TV, cable networks, radio, cinema halls, use of bulk SMS/voice messages, audio visual displays in any polling area during the period of 48 hours in the polling area is also prohibited.

• However, the evolving landscape of information technology and social media platforms has blurred the lines of the 48-hour silence period, leading to persistent circulation of content across multiple phases of campaigning and even unrelated elections.

• There is also a ban on sale of liquor during this period. No spirituous, fermented or intoxicating liquors or other substances of a like nature shall be sold, given or distributed at a hotel, eating house, tavern, shop or any other place, public or private, within a polling area during the 48-hour period.

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