WHAT IS AN EXIT POLL?

 

An exit poll is conducted after the voters had casted their vote. Surveys can be conducted face to face or online. It asks which political party voters are supporting.

Institute of public opinion conducted during 2nd Lok Sabha elections in 1957 has conducted such a poll.

Exit poll is often conducted by a number of organisations or in tie up with media organisations.

Opinion pols are conducted before election while Exit polls are conducted after election.

RULES

• Article 324 of the constitution , restricting media from publishing results of opinion and exit polls during a prohibited period.
• Election Commission of India in 1998 has issued guidelines under Article 324.
• SC in 1999 stated that in the absence of statutory sanction , the ECI cannot impose any guidelines prohibiting such polls.
• Section 126(A) was included in Representation of People's Act 1951.
• It imposed restrictions on Exit polls in 2010.
• Section 126(A) says that no person shall conduct any exit poll and publish or publicise its results through the print or electronic media, during such period as the ECI may notify in this regard.
• If anyone violate this provision they shall be punished with imprisonment for 2 years or a fine or both.
• At present exit polls are telecasted only after the conclusion of the last phase of election.
• Large and diverse sample size along a clearly constructed questionnaire with no bias will help us to obtain an accurate exit poll.

SIGNIFICANCE

• It gives an indication of the party which might secure maximum votes.
• This also highlights the issues, personalities, and loyalties that have influenced voters.

CRITICISM

• Often political parties allege that these polls are influenced by or financially supported by rival parties.
• The results can be affected by the choice, wording , timing of questions or by the nature of sample drawn.