During the 'silence period' before polling, the Election Commission prohibits election campaigning, including the release of manifestos, for the last:

Under Section 126 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, election campaigning, including public meetings and the display of election matter on television and similar media, is prohibited in a constituency during the 48 hours ending with the hour fixed for the conclusion of polling. This period is known as the "silence period".

What is prohibited during the silence period:

• Public meetings and processions related to the election.
• Displaying election matter on television, cinema or similar media.
• Propagating election matter by musical concerts, theatrical performances or other entertainment.
• Releasing manifestos: the Election Commission's guidelines say that no manifesto shall be released during this period.

Why the silence period exists:

• It gives voters time to think calmly about their choice before voting, without the pressure of campaigns.
• It helps prevent last-minute inducements and propaganda.

Other restrictions:

• Section 126A of the RP Act bans exit polls from the start of polling in the first phase until half an hour after the end of polling in the last phase.
• Liquor sales are banned in the area during the silence period.
• Political parties cannot publish advertisements in newspapers on polling day or the day before without the approval of a media certification committee.

Punishment:

Violation of Section 126 is punishable with imprisonment of up to two years, a fine, or both.

Social media:

The Election Commission and social media companies follow a voluntary code to remove political advertisements and content that violates the silence period.

Manifestos and the Model Code of Conduct:

The Supreme Court, in the S. Subramaniam Balaji case (2013), directed the Election Commission to frame guidelines on election manifestos.

As a result, manifestos must not contain promises that violate the Constitution, and parties should explain how they will finance their promises.

Multi-phase elections:

In elections held in many phases, the silence period applies separately to each constituency according to its polling date.

Why not the other options?

• ✗24, 36 and 72 hours are not the silence period laid down by law.