The collective of exit poll results have been announced by all the news networks and what do we know so far? According to the India Today-Axis My India poll, BJP is likely to take Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Goa. Congress to take Punjab and Manipur. And AAP is just present, much like that random person you run into at every house party.
But, as far as predictions go, are exit polls any better than astrology or a parrot picking up a random card that holds your future? Well, it definitely isn’t as inexact or unsciencely, but it still is a lot of hokum.
Photo: Reuters |
In 2015 during the Delhi elections, while everyone expected BJP to make that perfect score again the newbie Aam Aadmi Party scored perhaps the biggest ever victory, bagging 67/70 seats.
Someone please write a 2000 word essay on the human beings and this exit poll obsession. This isn't going to be worth 5 paisa in two days
— Anamika (@NameFieldmt) March 9, 2017
Practice something like black magic which is more useful when it comes to changing election results
— Anamika (@NameFieldmt) March 9, 2017
Sure, there are some things that exit polls are reflective of. They tell us what the mood on the ground is. They also give the political parties a last ditch attempt to form alliances in case their exit poll results don’t look too good.
But since the political gurus and bigwigs hold these in such high regard, let’s have a look at what they have to say.
When the data shows "too close to call" then saying that it is to close to call is crystal clear thoughtful decision. Not a confusion. ????
— Yashwant Deshmukh (@YRDeshmukh) March 9, 2017
Uttar Pradesh govts from 1991BJP 1991-92SP 1993-1995BSP 1997BJP 1997-2002BSP 2002-03SP 2003-2007BSP 2007-2012SP 2012-#EXITPolls2017
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) March 9, 2017
My view: Punjab is tighter,tough to conclude,don't rule out AAP/hung; UP: BJP is well ahead, by how much we will have to see #EXITPolls2017
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) March 9, 2017
Of course there were those just enjoying the enthusiasm displayed by news channels trying to predict the election results.
Exit polls suggest that all Times group journos should resign on the 11th of March. They can't get the job done....
— Sandeep Kadian (@GappistanRadio) March 9, 2017
I didn't think TimesNow's design could get busier, but they found a way. pic.twitter.com/wUgKAfQF0s
— Rohan Venkat (@RohanV) March 9, 2017
Conclusion of all Exit Polls. pic.twitter.com/Z99tFY35eD
— Rofl Gandhi (@RoflGandhi_) March 9, 2017
And those cheering for their squads
Summary of all exit polls: #BJP winning 4/5 states. Now lets wait for 11th. #ElectionResults
— Amit Malviya (@malviyamit) March 9, 2017
NDTV guy watching UP #EXITPolls2017 pic.twitter.com/JpqQshGQBs
— Godman Chikna (@Madan_Chikna) March 9, 2017
BJP supporters after seeing @TodaysChanakya's #EXITPolls2017 on Uttar Pradesh. pic.twitter.com/SXWPQLFOR8
— Phd in Bak*****!! (@Atheist_Krishna) March 9, 2017
To sum it all up,
In a few minutes, we'd be drowned in the glut of info from exit polls, at the end of which, we'd still not be any wiser :) #EXITPolls2017
— Rajesh Kalra (@rajeshkalra) March 9, 2017