NEW DELHI (TIP): Political analysts must not predict figures — such as winning margins or the number of seats a party is likely to win — in their comments during polls, the Election Commission announced on March 30.

This is the crux of a fresh advisory by the commission, which widened the ambit of rules that prohibit exit poll until all rounds of voting are completed. The new rule will apply in all future elections.

“The commission is of the view that predictions of results of elections in any form or manner by way of predictions etc., by astrologers, tarot readers, political analysts or by any persons during the prohibited period is violation of the spirit of Section 126A,” the advisory said.

According to the communiqué, sent to the National Broadcasters Association and Press Council of India among others, all political analysis citing numbers will be considered as exit poll.

The poll panel has set limits, a first in the world’s largest democracy, on what can be said by political commentators without violating the Representation of People’s Act, 1951 —the federal law governing Indian elections.

The law bans exit poll in the middle of an election, as it could influence voting in later rounds.

The opposition Congress welcomed the advisory, saying analysts put forth views that are as good as an exit poll.

“It is a forward step. The EC must also take cognizance of so-called surveys conducted by parties during elections,” party spokesperson Tom Vadakkan said.