Ludhiana, June 19 -- An FIR has been registered against multiple digital news portals for violating the guidelines of the Election Commission of India (ECI) by reportedly publishing opinion polls in connection with the Ludhiana West bypoll scheduled to be held on Thursday.

The complaint, formally filed by the returning officer of Ludhiana (West) Assembly Constituency, has led to the registration of an FIR at the Cyber Crime Police Station, Ludhiana. The case has been filed under Section 126A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

As per the guidelines issued by the ECI, the publication or broadcast of opinion polls is strictly prohibited in electronic media during the 48-hour...