The number of polling stations was determined using scientific standards and taking into account international practices. “We rely on the formula that provides for sampling without replacement. Based on the total number of polling places, we calculated the necessary number of polling stations to be involved in the poll. Thus, over 300 polling stations across the country will be included in the poll,” the expert said.
About a thousand specialists will be involved in the study. “The number of respondents is to exceed 12,000 people,” the scientific adviser said.
The exit poll will be held throughout the day. Interviewers will sample a certain number of people her hour. “Everything will be done strictly in line with the instruction and within a specific time frame,” he noted.
The exit poll will be held 10-15 meters from a polling station. “This is important, as the international methodology provides for sampling people at a certain distance. An interviewer cannot approach every person who leaves a polling station,” Igor Pinchuk said.
The results of the study will be published after polling stations are closed. “Not earlier than 20 minutes after. This is an international standard,” the expert added.
“The forecast error we will strive to achieve is 2%. However, the error of up to 5% is acceptable,” the sociologist noted.
Igor Pinchuk recalled that an election exit poll is a poll of voters taken immediately after they have exited polling stations. “In other words, this is not a phone poll or an online poll, but a direct interview with a person who has already cast his/her ballot,” the expert said.
The exit poll presentation was held in Minsk on 28 July, during which journalists were also shown the uniform that interviewers will wear. The uniform will have logos of the Belarusian Committee of Youth Associations. The interviewers will have name tags confirming that they represent the Youth Laboratory of Sociological Studies. Every interviewer will wear a face mask and gloves.
