Roderich Egeler
President of the Federal Statistical Office

Press release September 11, 2009

---

Federal Returning Officer discussing “Twitter problem” with institutes

WIESBADEN – On invitation by the Federal Returning Officer, Roderich Egeler, a meeting with representatives of electoral research institutes has been held in Wiesbaden today.

The discussion focused on how to deal with the results of exit polls. Roderich Egeler again pointed to the fact that the publication of exit poll results before closing of the polling stations is not permitted. “Advance releases of exit poll results – for example through Twitter – may influence in an unacceptable way the free decision of voters”. Advance releases of exit poll results are an administrative offence which may be punished by a fine of up to EUR 50,000.

The electoral research institutes affirmed that they will make any arrangements they can to avoid that exit poll results are made public before 6 p.m.

For further information please contact:
Karina Schorn,
tel: (+49-611) 75-2317,
e-mail: bundeswahlleiter@destatis.de

---