Sanjay Rai, As the ballot boxes close and the fate of millions is locked inside EVMs, a new spectacle unfolds the exit polls. What was once meant to be a statistical reflection of public sentiment has now turned into a psychological tool to shape it.
This Bihar election season, almost every exit poll projected a sweeping victory for the NDA, with some forecasts defying even basic logic. It’s not the first time. In 2015, media outlets also “declared” an NDA win long before results proved otherwise. The credibility of both polls and the press took a hit that day.
The Game of Political Psychology
Exit polls today are less about gauging voter mood and more about creating it. They attempt to reinforce the idea that “the Modi wave continues,” even when on-ground issues — unemployment, inflation, agrarian distress, and inequality — tell a different story.
Media and Power: A Dangerous Alliance
Once a watchdog of democracy, large sections of the media have now become its propaganda wing. Exit polls no longer mirror the people’s verdict but narrate the script of those in power. It’s no coincidence that numbers consistently favor the ruling party — it’s a calculated strategy to steer voter psychology.
The Real Test of Democracy
In a democracy like India, elections are not merely about counting votes — they are about sustaining trust. When the press becomes partisan, the foundation of democracy trembles.
As India awaits the real results on November 14, one truth stands firm:
Exit polls might predict who wins the seat, but only the people decide who deserves their trust.
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