When Are Exit Polls Released & Why Do They Wait For Polling To Finish? What Rules Say

Last Updated:April 29, 2026, 09:00 IST

Exit polls are typically released 30 minutes after the last polling booth closes. In most cases, this works out to around 6.30pm on the final polling day

With voting set to draw to a close for the assembly elections on Wednesday, attention now shifts to exit polls—the first indicators of how the electorate may have voted. In India, the release of exit polls, which offer an early snapshot of trends before counting day, is tightly regulated by the Election Commission (EC) to ensure they do not influence voters during ongoing polling. With the final phase of voting concluding on Wednesday, exit poll projections are scheduled to be released in the evening, once polling formally ends across all constituencies.

The Core Rule

Exit polls are post-voting surveys conducted as voters leave polling booths. They use sampling and statistical methods to estimate likely outcomes but are not official results. Their accuracy can vary depending on sample size, methodology, and voter willingness to disclose choices.

The Election Commission enforces a strict ban on publishing or broadcasting exit polls until polling ends in the final phase across all states. This restriction comes under Section 126A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which governs how and when such data can be shared.

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The Exact Timing

Exit polls are typically released 30 minutes after the last polling booth closes. In most cases, this works out to around 6.30pm on the final polling day.

Why The Delay?

Assembly elections in India are often held in multiple phases over several days or weeks. Because of this, early release of exit polls could influence voters in later phases. It could also affect turnout, campaign narratives, and voter behaviour.

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To prevent this, the Election Commission imposes a nationwide embargo covering the entire polling period.

During elections, there is a clearly defined “no-exit-poll window". It begins when the first phase of voting starts and ends half an hour after the final phase ends. For instance, in 2026, exit polls were banned from 7am on April 9 until 6.30pm on April 29. Publishing anything during this window can lead to legal penalties, including fines or even jail time.

In single-phase election, exit polls can be released the same evening after voting ends. However, in multi-phase election, exit polls must wait until the last phase across all regions is completed.

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