Don’t ban exit polls, check them: AAP

New Delhi: The Aam Admi Party has requested the Election Commission not to ban opinion polls but regulate them.

A private news channel on Tuesday ran a sting operation that suggested exit and opinion polls might be manipulated. The channel alleged that 11 polling companies had agreed to tweak their findings for a price. AAP leader Yogendra Yadav said: “We are playing with the future of our country, and the manner in which our democracy is run. There should be a criminal probe." 

Earlier on Wednesday, chief election commissioner VS Sampath said the Election Commission had in the past given its views on opinion polls and that it was up to the government to act. 
He said the Election Commission would look into the allegations levelled by the newc channel.

The EC had in its recommendation called for restrictions on opinion polls for a specified period during the election process. 
"As far as opinion polls are concerned, the Commission has taken a view, not today but ten years ago in 2004 after they held an all-party meeting. They gave their recommendations, subsequently they also collected the views of different political parties which have been given. The ball is in the government’s court,” Sampath said.

He was asked as to what course of action the Election Commission would take on the claims made by a TV channel which did a sting operation on some polling agencies. "We will certainly look into the matter. Whatever legal action that needs to be taken, will be duly examined," Sampath replied.

He was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a workshop organised for the All India Radio (AIR) and Doordarshan correspondents, where Prasar Bharati CEO Jawhar Sircar and I&B secretary Bimal Julka were also present.

Earlier, speaking at the event Sampath said that the Indian general elections were the "mother of all election" which amazed people from other countries.