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New Delhi: As soon as elections conclude, the wait for exit polls begins. These surveys indicate whom the public likely voted for. However, the 2021 Assembly elections demonstrated that these predictions are not always entirely accurate.

West Bengal: The Biggest Miss

In West Bengal, exit polls proved to be completely wrong. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) secured a massive majority by winning 215 seats, yet no exit poll had predicted such a landslide victory. Many polls showed the TMC holding only a slight lead.

Some even claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would form the government. On average, the TMC’s seat tally was underestimated by over 60 seats, while the BJP’s tally was overestimated by approximately 49 seats.

In short, exit polls were a complete failure in Bengal.

Tamil Nadu: Right Direction, Slightly Off Figures

In Tamil Nadu, exit polls correctly predicted that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) would come to power. The DMK alliance won 159 seats. The polls had projected a slightly higher seat count for the alliance. On average, the DMK’s seat tally was overestimated by 7 seats.

Here, the exit polls succeeded in capturing the overall trend.

Kerala: Correct Winner, Incorrect Margin

In Kerala, exit polls correctly predicted that the Left Democratic Front (LDF) would form the government once again. The LDF secured 99 seats. However, the polls underestimated the alliance’s strength.

On average, the LDF was projected to win 17 fewer seats than it actually did, while the United Democratic Front (UDF) was projected to win 15 more seats than its actual tally.

Assam: The Most Accurate Prediction

In Assam, the exit polls proved to be the most accurate. The BJP alliance won 75 seats. Most polls accurately predicted its return to power. On average, the margin of error was just 4 seats—a figure considered to be quite low.

The 2021 results make it clear:

• In states like Bengal, exit polls can be completely wrong.
• However, in Assam and Tamil Nadu, they proved to be largely reliable.
• In Kerala, the trend was correctly predicted, though the specific seat tallies were off.

Therefore, exit polls should be viewed as indicators rather than the absolute truth. Exit polls provide an insight into the electoral atmosphere, but their accuracy can vary from state to state.

In 2021, while they failed completely in Bengal, they proved to be nearly accurate in Assam. Thus, waiting for the actual results remains the only way to reveal the true picture.