Exit Poll Results 2026: Exact Time, Where To Watch First & How It Differs From Opinion Polls

Last Updated:April 28, 2026, 18:42 IST

Exit Poll Results 2026: The exit polls for results in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry will be released after 6:30 pm on April 29.

Exit Poll Results 2026: The 2026 Assembly elections in four states and a Union Territory will come to an end after the second phase of polling in West Bengal on April 29, Wednesday. After that, voters will be eagerly awaiting the first indications of who holds the political edge with the release of the exit polls.

The exit polls would provide early indications on who’s ahead in a fierce high-stakes clash between the BJP and the TMC in West Bengal, the DMK and AIADMK in Tamil Nadu, the Congress and the BJP in Assam, and the LDF and UDF in Kerala.

What Are Exit Polls?

In case you are unaware of exit polls, it refers to a survey conducted among voters once they exit a polling booth after casting their vote. The move aims at predicting the outcome of an election before the results are officially announced.

Research agencies and media organisations conduct on-the-spot surveys to ask voters about their choices, factors driving their voting decisions and more. The data is then analysed to estimate vote share and project poll outcomes. It is important to note that exit polls are only estimates and tend to differ from the final results.

The reliability of exit polls has always been in doubt. Several times in electoral history, exit poll predictions have proved completely off the mark due to sampling errors, non-response, or voters not answering honestly.

What Time Will Exit Polls Be Released?

The Election Commission of India (ECI) had issued an advisory to media platforms and broadcasters, banning exit polls for elections in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, Puducherry, and by-elections to eight Assembly constituencies unless voting concludes in all phases.

Once the clock hits 6:30 pm on April 29, several media organisations will roll out their surveys and seat projections for the Assembly elections 2026. The data for Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Puducherry, 824 assembly constituencies, will be released simultaneously.

The official counting of votes and the formal declaration of the winner will be done on May 4.

Where To Track Exit Polls?

Stay on top of every development about the Exit Poll Results 2026 with real-time updates across CNN-News18. Tune in to CNN-News18 for live coverage, expert insights, and in-depth analysis, or follow the latest updates, key highlights, and breaking news on our social media channels and News18.com.

Exit Poll Vs Opinion Poll

An exit poll might sound similar to an opinion poll, but they are vastly different from each other. Opinion polls are conducted before the election, often weeks or months ahead, to gauge public sentiment and predict possible voting patterns. Exit polls, on the other hand, are conducted on the day of polling, after voters have cast their ballots.

While opinion polls help gauge public mood, they are less reliable as opinions can change before election day, and not everyone who responds will actually vote. In exit polls, voters are asked about their choices after they have already voted, and the data is used to analyse which parties or alliances are likely to perform well in different regions.

News india Exit Poll Results 2026: Exact Time, Where To Watch First & How It Differs From Opinion Polls

Read More