Exit Polls

In our schooldays, we studied, among other subjects, CIVICS. If I recall correctly, we were taught that we must use our right to vote, which is exercised through secret ballot, signifying that we had freedom to vote for anyone we liked without revealing our identity so that nobody could influence us or subsequently victimise us for not having voted for him or her.

Aren’t these exit polls an exact antithesis of the spirit of secrecy associated with voting? Why should the voters casting their votes reveal their cards to the exit poll analysts?

Ironically, second time on the trot, exit polls have failed to make right prediction. While during Loksabha polls, exit polls sort of justified BJP’s catchword of “ Abki baar 400 paar” and BJP barely scrambled home needing crutches to form government at centre, exit polls for Haryana predicted a sweep for Congress, which in reality has been swept away by BJP juggernaut.

It’s for these pollsters to recheck their methodology, sampling and sample size, but I hope that the essence of secrecy of right to vote and its sanctity is being meticulously maintained while conducting exit polls.

And mind you, the election outcomes are becoming increasingly unpredictable and the old theories of anti incumbency, disenchantment with long ruling parties, coalitions etc are all no guarantee for poll outcomes that are solely the prerogative of an increasingly maturing Indian voter.

Long live Indian democracy!