A woman walks past a huge outdoor banner promoting the 2023 District Council Ordinary Election in Hong Kong on Dec 6, 2023. The election will be held on Sunday.  (ANDY CHONG / CHINA DAILY)

The Registration & Electoral Office on Friday announced that it has granted approval for Hong Kong Research Association to conduct exit polls at designated polling stations during the 2023 District Council Ordinary Election.

Such details are available on the election website and will be displayed at relevant polling stations this Sunday.

Apart from making it clear that participation in exit polls is wholly voluntary, the office stressed that it is the right of the electors to keep their votes secret.

It pointed out that exit poll interviews are not allowed inside polling stations.

The organization is required to make a statutory declaration not to announce or disclose the information and results of their exit polls before the close of Sunday’s poll.

In addition, it should not make specific remarks or predictions on the performance of any candidate before the close of the poll as doing so may affect electors’ voting behaviour and have an impact on election results.

Furthermore, all approved exit poll interviewers must wear an identification badge that clearly shows their own names as well as the name of the organisation conducting the poll.

Moreover, the interviewers should not speak to or communicate with the candidates or their agents.