Exit poll results likely on May 10

As the sixth and last phase of the Assembly elections in West Bengal ends at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, the results of the exit polls conducted by various agencies in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, Puducherry and West Bengal can be published or released in the media or websites or telecast/aired by television and radio channels.

The ban on releasing the results of exit polls has been in force since 7 a.m. on April 4 when the polling for the first phase began. Earlier the Election Commission had earlier announced that the ban would be there till 5.30 p.m. on May 10. However, polling in the last phase of West Bengal elections will be over at 3 p.m. on Tuesday as most of the constituencies going to polls there are in the Naxal-dominated areas, and the exit poll results too can be released after 3 p.m., EC sources said.

Various media agencies including television channels, in association with leading survey agencies, have done elaborate exit polls but their hands are tied due to the Election Commission’s ban.

While election in Assam was held on April 4 and 11, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry had polls on April 13. In West Bengal the elections were held on April 18, 23 and 27, and May 3 and 7. In the final phase of poll to be held on May 10, 14 Assembly constituencies will go to polls.

The counting of votes will begin at 8 a.m. on May 13 in all the four States and Puducherry and most of the trends are expected within a few hours. First the postal ballots sent by the service voters will be taken up for counting.

Courtesy : The Hindu