Exit poll 2026: When will predictions be out? Timing, ECI ban and key details explained

As voting in the final phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections is taking place, attention now shifts to exit polls, which are expected to offer an early glimpse into possible outcomes across states that voted in this election cycle.

When will exit polls be released?

Exit poll results will begin to appear only after 6.30 pm on Wednesday, once polling officially ends in West Bengal. This marks the close of the entire election cycle, including earlier voting held in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

Different survey agencies and media organisations are likely to release their projections independently through television broadcasts and digital platforms shortly after the deadline.

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Why were exit polls restricted?

The Election Commission of India (ECI) had imposed a strict ban on conducting and publishing exit polls during the voting period. The restriction was enforced under Section 126A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

“The Election Commission under Section 126A of the RP Act 1951, has notified that the conduct of exit poll and dissemination of their results by means of print or electronic media is prohibited between 7:00 AM on 9 April 2026 (Thursday) and 6.30 PM on 29 April 2026 (Wednesday),” the poll panel said in its notification on 2 April.

The Commission also cautioned broadcasters and digital platforms against sharing any content that could influence voters during this window. This includes discussions or opinion-based coverage that might “promote or prejudice the prospect of any particular party or candidate(s)”.

“Violation of Section 126A of the RP Act, 1951 is punishable with imprisonment up to a period of two years, or with fine or both,” the Election Commission notification said.

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What are exit polls based on?

Exit polls are estimates drawn from voter responses collected immediately after they cast their ballots. Survey agencies use these interactions to project likely seat shares and voting trends ahead of official counting.

What happened in 2021?

In the previous West Bengal Assembly elections, most exit polls indicated a tight race between the Trinamool Congress and the BJP. However, the final outcome told a different story, with the Mamata Banerjee-led party securing a decisive victory, winning 215 out of 292 seats, while the BJP finished with 77 seats.

The contrast between predictions and results has often raised questions about the reliability of exit polls, even as they continue to generate significant public interest on counting eve.