How did France announce the results so quickly?

It was over quickly! That is how I summed up the election day in France. The polls closed at 8 pm and Sarkozy speech conceding defeat was over by 8:30 pm. Around the time the polls were being closed, I was on my way to join a group of expatriates meeting up in a pub to watch the post-polling process as a group. On my way, I noticed a group of people in a street that was cordoned off. On reaching there, I found a giant TV screen where Sarkozy was addressing his supporters.

As only a few minutes had passed after the polls had closed, I wondered what this speech was about. I assumed the speech to be urging his followers to exercise restraint in the following hours. Actually I got it partially right. It was about exercising restraint and also conceding defeat. There were a few people in tears and most of the faces were grim. When I walked into pub after watching the crowd and their reactions, my friend told me the results were out. Hollande has won.

What amazes me is how fast the results were out for the second round of the French elections of 2012. The polls had hardly closed and the winner emerges. How do they do it? Something which further surprises me was the final voting tally was announced around noon the next day. Why would anyone accept defeat even before the final votes have been counted? Isn't it strange? What is the possible explanation for all this?




Tags: Musings,Elections,France,2012



Comments

  1. I really wish India also choses its President soon

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  2. Yes I had no idea it would be announced so immediately

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    1. What I learnt from my friends. Most of the polls close at 6 pm except the city center ones. On top of it, the electronic voting machines makes it easier to announce the results. I am not aware as how both these factors come to play in greater details. But the answer is better than the other answer I received. :)

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  3. It is done through statistics, Nona. Even I was surprised the first time I heard the quick results of another presidential election in France and asked around. This was the answer that was given to me. By counting votes in several constituencies for a while a statistic trend appears and the final result is known.

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    1. Check my response to Melanie. I think you provided the missing link. :)

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  4. It is done through statistics, Nona. I also was surprised when I saw my first presidential elections in France and this was what the French explained to me when I asked.

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  5. Well hello there! It was so amazing to visit this blog and to read this blog entry. In addition to that I would like to ask you a question that is extremely important for me. How do you feel about guest blogging?

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    1. Thank you for dropping by. I am not into guest blogging for two reasons.

      The first. Blog is my space to interact. Many times, it is almost similar to a diary. :) So I do not favor anyone else writing in my diary.

      The second. When you write for somebody, there is a deadline associated with it along with the commitment. I write because it is a good stress buster. :) If I write for somebody, then it becomes the opposite. :)

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