Exit polls give the broad idea and trend with a sense of direction where the frame of mind of the nation is heading. Isn't it!
What is the meaning of exit poll?
Exit poll is a survey of voters taken soon after a voter cast his or her vote. It is conducted by several organisations which use different methods for the purpose. Basically, it is considered as an indicator to which party forms the government.
There is a mild difference between an exit poll and an opinion poll and that is; in an opinion poll, it is being asked that to whom voter plans to vote but in an exit poll for whom the voter actually voted.
How are exit polls conducted and regulated?
Organisations that conduct an exit poll follow a range of different methods. One of the most common methods is sampling. Some organisations may opt for random or systematic sampling. Let us tell you that the random sampling at times can be of an entire electorate and not just the voters outside a booth which covers parameters like age, sex, caste, region etc.
Do you know why exit polls are banned by Election Commission? In the Representation of the People Act, an amendment is forced to provide for a ban on both exit and opinion polls during a period specified by the Election Commission. In 2004, the poll watchdog had approached the Law Ministry along with the endorsement of six national parties and 18 state parties. Some of the recommendations were accepted. In February 2010, restrictions were imposed on exit polls through the introduction of Section 126 (A) in the Act. Therefore, the Election Commission advises print and electronic media not to publish or publicise any article or programme related to the dissemination of results of exit polls during the prohibited period.
Section 126A of the Representation of the People's Act, 1951 states that "No person shall conduct any exit poll and publish or publicise by means of the print or electronic media or disseminate in any other manner, whatsoever, the result of an exit poll during such period as may be notified by the Election Commission in this regard."
Any person who contravenes the provisions of this section shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or with fine or with both.
Exit Poll: Election Commission advisory
Earlier, in late March, the Election Commission had announced that Exit polls can be telecast by organisations, including websites but only after final phase of polling. Further Election Commission stated that the advisory would include display of any opinion poll and of standard debates, analysis, visuals and sound-bytes etc.
It is also stated that news broadcasters must not air any final, formal and definite results until the results are formally announced by the Election Commission of India.
The view of ECI is that prediction of results of elections in any form or manner by way of predictions etc by astrologers, political analysts or by any persons during the prohibited period is violation of the spirit of Section 126A (of the RP Act).
TV, radio channels, cable networks, social media platform should ensure that the contents of programmes or broadcast displayed by them during the 48-hour period before the end polls in each phase shall not contain any material, including views or appeals by participants that may be construed as promoting or prejudicing the prospect" of any particular party or candidate, the EC advisory had maintained.
So we can say that it aims to prevent the electors of constituencies that are still going to poll from being influenced in their voting by such predictions about the prospects of the various political parties.