Huge distortion, need for self-introspection: Election Commission on exit polls

After announcing the election dates in Maharashtra and Jharkhand, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar cautioned the media, especially electronic media, about the practice of exit polls and showing early trends on the result day.

In Short

• Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar urges media to introspect on exit polls
• Exit polls create distortions, says Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar
• Questions early trends shown by TV channels

The Election Commission on Tuesday said the press and media associations need to do "self-introspection" about exit polls, citing "huge distortion" created by them.

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar on Tuesday announced the dates for Assembly elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand. After announcing the dates, Kumar cautioned the media, especially the electronic media, about the practice of exit polls and showing early trends on the result day.

"A major distortion is being created due to exit polls and expectations set by it. This is a matter of deliberation and introspection for the press, especially for electronic media," Kumar said.

"In the last few elections, 2-3 things are happening simultaneously if we look at the entire canvas together. First, an exit poll comes - we don't govern it. But there is a need for self-introspection, that what was the sample size, where was the survey done, how did the result come and what is my responsibility if I did not match to that result, are there disclosures. All of these need to be seen. There are bodies which govern this," he added, calling for media associations to do some self-regulation.

The Chief Election Commissioner's statement came after exit polls in the last two elections -- Lok Sabha polls and Haryana Assembly polls -- predicted outcomes which were far from results.

Rajiv Kumar also questioned television channels showing early trends on results day.

"When counting begins, results start pouring at 8.05-8.10 am. This is nonsense. The first counting (of EVMs) begins at 8.30 am. Are the initial trends to justify the exit polls?" Kumar said.

"We start putting the results at 9.30 am on the website. So, when the actual results start coming in, there is a mismatch. That mismatch can lead to serious issues sometimes. The gap between expectations and achievements is nothing but frustration. So, this issue is such that needs some deliberation," he added.