To discourage unnecessary speculation and prevent people from relying on hearsay, sample counts of votes cast will be taken at the start of the counting process, and — for the first time — announced to the public within two hours of the polls closing at 8pm on Sept 11.

These counts, which will provide an early indication of the possible election results, will be put up on the Elections Department’s (ELD) website and disseminated to the media.

In past elections, ELD officers conducted sample counts for internal use, as a check against the final outcome. During the 2011 Presidential Election, candidates observed the sample counting process and were provided with the counts on request.

… Associate Professor Alan Chong from the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies was sceptical about the accuracy of sample counts. Also, such figures could give rise to unhealthy expectations. “It might create more frustration and speculation, and all the kinds of negative emotions arising from this belief after they’ve been psychologically prepared for a certain outcome,” he said.