EXIT POLLS

About: 

• Meaning: Exit polls are a survey of voters exiting polling stations after casting their votes. They gives a broad trend as to where the mood of the nation is heading. However, on various instances exit polls predictions turned out to be wrong. 
  
  
• Who conducts them: Exit polls are conducted by numerous organisations which use different methods for the purpose. 
  
  
• Methods of conducting: 
  • One of the most common methods is sampling. These agencies might opt for random or systematic sampling. 
    
    
  • The random sampling at times can be of an entire electorate and not just of voters outside a booth — covering parameters such as age, sex, caste, region and more. 
    
    
  
  
  
• View of Section 126A of the Representation of the People's Act, 1951 on exit polls: 
  • No person shall conduct any exit poll and publicise by means of the print or electronic media or in any other manner 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. 
    
    
  
  
  
• Election Commission advisory on exit polls: Earlier, in late March, the Election Commission had announced that Exit polls can be telecast by agencies, including all websites, only after final phase of polling. 
  
  
• History: Exit polls in India began back in 1957 during the second Lok Sabha elections when the Indian Institute of Public Opinion conducted a poll.