This is for kind information of the general public that the “No Campaign Period” on Poll Day and 48 hours preceding it, provided under Section 305 of the Election Act of the Kingdom of Bhutan 2008, starts from 9:00 am of 18th of April 2018 till the closure of the Polls in all the 20 Dzongkhags on 20th of April 2018.
During this period no one is allowed to publish, broadcast, or transmit any item that is in the nature of election campaign, supporting or opposing any Candidate in any media. However, the authorized campaign materials posted during the Campaign Period may be retained without change except if such advertisement are found to be within 100 meters of a Polling Station. Further, no entity shall arrange, organize, conduct, undertake, introduce, 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 have to be dealt 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 an election;
(b) Public opinion survey reports on an election 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 an election based on the information provided by or obtained from, voters or observers at an election.
The Election Commission seeks the understanding, support and full cooperation of everyone for compliance to this order to fulfill the noble intention of providing conducive time and space for proper reflection and exercise of franchise by the electorate to achieve the aspiration of the Nation to elect the most worthy leaders to the National Council of the Third Parliament of the Kingdom of Bhutan.
Chief Election Commissioner of Bhutan
