Today’s Chanakya exit poll predicts BJP victory in West Bengal:Axis My India projects UDF govt in Kerala Stalin’s return in Tamil Nadu

Exit poll results projected by Axis My India and Today’s Chanakya for the West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry assembly elections are out-
Exit poll projection of Assembly Elections 2026 by Axis My India Exit poll projection of 2026 by Today’s Chanakya Voter turnout increased by 3 to 12% in all five states There was a record turnout in all five states this time. The biggest factor for such a huge voter turnout is the Voter List Revision (SIR). In this, the names of a large number of duplicate and dead voters were removed. This reduced the total number of voters, but the number of people who voted remained almost the same, which increased the percentage. Promises like cash assistance, free travel, and reservations for women turned out women voters in large numbers. This time, the vote percentage of women was 2% higher than that of men in Bengal-Tamil Nadu, 1% in Assam, 5% in Kerala, and 3% in Puducherry. Find out how accurate past exit polls were, and how many turned out to be wrong 1. West Bengal: 2. Tamil Nadu: 3. Keralam: In 2021, all 4 exit polls predicted a return of the LDF. In 2016, 3 out of 4 polls favoured the LDF, while 1 indicated a close contest. In 2011, 3 survey agencies predicted a UDF government. 4. Assam: In five states, voter turnout increased by 3% to 12%, with record voting reported this time. The biggest factor is said to be the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists, which removed a large number of duplicate and deceased voters. This reduced the total number of registered voters, but the number of people who voted remained almost the same, increasing the percentage. READ MORE | Why did Bengal see record 94% voting? Schemes like cash assistance for women, free travel, and reservation promises also drew more women to vote in large numbers. This time, women’s turnout was higher than men’s by 2% in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, 1% in Assam, 5% in Keralam, and 3% in Puducherry. 5 questions related to exit polls and their answers 1. What is an exit poll? Answer: During elections, two types of surveys are conducted to understand public sentiment. Surveys done before voting are called opinion polls, while surveys conducted during voting are called exit polls. Generally, exit poll results are released about an hour after the final phase of voting ends. 2. When and how did exit polls start? Answer: Electoral surveys first began in the United States. In 1930, George Gallup and Claude Robinson conducted surveys to understand public opinion about the US government’s performance. Exit polls started much later. According to Time Magazine, the first large-scale exit poll was conducted in 1967. Political researcher Warren Mitofsky conducted the first exit poll during the gubernatorial election in Kentucky. However, there is no exact record of which media organisation first used this method globally. 3. When did exit polls start in India? Answer: Exit polls in India were first introduced by Eric D’Costa, then head of the Indian Institute of Public Opinion (IIPU). In the 1980s, political expert Prannoy Roy and UK political expert David Butler conducted the first national-level exit poll work in India. In 1996, Doordarshan, in collaboration with CSDS, released exit poll results for the first time. 4. What are the laws and rules for exit polls in India? Answer: Exit poll regulations have reached the Supreme Court three times due to different issues. According to Section 126A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, exit poll results can only be published 30 minutes after the final phase of voting ends. Publishing exit polls before voting ends is a punishable offence, which can lead to up to two years in prison, a fine, or both. 5. What factors determine the accuracy of exit polls? Answer: The accuracy of exit polls depends mainly on three factors: