“Massive distortion, need for self-reflection”: CEC Rajiv Kumar on exit polls

New Delhi [India], October 15 (ANI): Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar on Tuesday raised concerns about the practice of displaying winning or losing trends within 5 to 10 minutes of the official commencement of vote counting at 8 am on election result days. He described exit polls as causing “massive distortion” and called for “self-reflection” among pollsters.

Addressing a press conference in the national capital, Rajiv Kumar urged the media, particularly electronic media, to reconsider their approach towards exit polls and the early broadcast of trends on result day.

“A significant distortion is being created by exit polls and the expectations they generate. This is an issue that warrants deliberation and introspection, particularly for the press, and more so for electronic media. In recent elections, we’ve noticed a few concurrent trends. Firstly, exit polls are broadcast–something we do not regulate–but there is a need for self-reflection on aspects such as sample size, where the survey was conducted, how the results were derived, and what responsibility pollsters hold if their results do not match actual outcomes. Are disclosures being made? All of these need to be scrutinised. There are regulatory bodies, and I believe the time has come for them to introduce some form of self-regulation,” Kumar stated.

He warned media outlets, particularly electronic ones, about the practice of publishing exit polls and early trends on result days.

“Counting usually occurs three days after the elections conclude. Expectations begin building from 6 pm onwards, but there’s no scientific basis for these early disclosures. When counting begins, initial results appear by 8.05 or 8.10 am, which is absurd. The first count of EVMs only starts at 8.30 am. Are these early trends intended to validate exit polls? We begin publishing the official results on our website by 9.30 am. By then, the actual results often contradict the earlier trends, creating a mismatch. This gap between expectations and actual results can lead to serious issues, sometimes culminating in frustration. This is a matter that requires serious consideration,” he added.

Rajiv Kumar also announced the dates for the upcoming assembly elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand. Jharkhand will vote in two phases on November 13 and 20, while Maharashtra will hold a single-phase election on November 20. The vote counting will take place on November 23.