In a democracy the size of India, elections may be the most crucial aspect of governance. Therefore, picking the best candidate is essential to the development of each particular state as well as the country as a whole.
Because of this, organizations conduct what is known as an Exit Poll to determine roughly which party and candidate have the most supporters and votes, in order to predict the outcome of the elections. They give a broad idea and trend with a sense of direction where the frame of mind of the nation is heading.
With Gujarat and Himachal elections going on, the exit polls conducted by various organizations will be revealed only a few hours after the voting has ended.
Let's see what exactly are exit polls.
What Are Exit Polls?
An exit poll is a survey of voters taken soon after a voter cast his or her vote. It is conducted by several organizations which use different methods for the purpose. Basically, it is considered an indicator of 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 asked to whom the voter plans to vote but in an exit poll for whom the voter actually voted.
How are exit polls conducted and regulated?
Organizations that conduct an exit poll follow a range of different methods. One of the most common methods is sampling. Some organizations 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 a ban on print and electronic media for both exit and opinion polls during a period specified by the Election Commission. In 2004, the poll watchdog 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 publicize any article or program related to the dissemination of results of exit polls during the prohibited period.
Benefits given to National Parties by the Election Commission of India
Section 126A of the Representation of the People's Act, 1951 states that "No person shall conduct any exit poll and publish or publicize 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 organizations, including websites but only after the final phase of polling. Further Election Commission stated that the advisory would include the 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 a violation of the spirit of Section 126A (of the RP Act).
TV, radio channels, cable networks, and social media platforms should ensure that the contents of programs or broadcasts displayed by them during the 48-hour period before the end of 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.
Why exit and opinion polls are opposed by the Election Commission during a multi-phase election?
If the organizations conducting them are perceived to be biased then both kinds of polls can be controversial. In fact, critics say that these types of surveys can be influenced by the choice, wording, and by nature of the sample drawn. According to the political parties, opinion and exit polls are sponsored by their rivals and can cause a negative or distorting effect on the choices of voters that have participated in the election rather than simply reflecting public sentiments or views.
Are Exit polls accurate?
No doubt exit polls give us an idea about the trend and also a sense of direction about the mood of the nation where it is directed. But it should be taken into consideration that there are several instances when exit polls predictions are turned out to be wrong. So, in India exit polls are tricky.
Why are exit polls criticized?
According to the critics and political parties, organizations that conduct exit polls can be biased in terms of choice, words, timings of the questions, the methodology that they use any kind of sample they draw. Even the sample group's demographic behavior, economic status, and various other factors used in providing the survey can also be questioned. Even it is said that political parties for the exit polls can also be funded by their rivals and may not represent the sentiments or views of the people accurately.
So, we can say that exit polls may not give a clear picture of the result of the election or which party will win the election. Why people will tell a pollster anything other than what they figure out the pollster wants to hear? People may not give a clear picture and may be biased.
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