The terrestrial broadcasters stationed in front of the election venue each conducted their own exit polls. After some time, they would combine the results and broadcast them, but for now, each station reported slightly different numbers. I put down my phone and watched the exit poll announcements.
For some reason, I felt nervous and just kept fidgeting with the remote.
“Boss, I’ve brought your meal.”
Section Chief Ma handed over a packed lunch from a nearby Japanese restaurant. I opened the box and ate sushi, but my eyes stayed glued to the TV. I could barely tell if the sushi was going into my nose or my mouth.
The countdown began, and finally, the projected seat numbers appeared as captions. As I scanned the quickly scrolling text, the announcer declared in a crisp voice: — Exit poll results predict that the Centrist Party will achieve over half the seats. Between 130 and 160 seats are expected.
Following that, the Progressive Party is projected at 70 to 100 seats, and finally, the Conservative Party at 30 to 50 seats. I unclenched my tightly balled fist. I’d squeezed so hard there were nail marks on my palm.