MUMBAI: BBC News is joining forces with ITV News to commission a joint exit poll at the next general election.

The poll will be jointly undertaken by two polling companies NOP and MORI - which have extensive experience in exit polling over recent general elections.

NOP's partnership with the BBC on exit polling goes back to the 1992 election and MORI worked with ITV News on their exit poll for the last two general elections, informs a media release.

The fieldwork will take place on election day at a number of carefully selected polling stations throughout the country where voters will be asked how they voted.

This data will then be analysed by a joint ITV/BBC team of political specialists to produce an estimate of the election result which will be revealed on the BBC and ITV election results programmes once the polls have closed.

According to the official communiqué, BBC News director Helen Boaden said, "I'm delighted that we are able to work with ITV News on this important piece of research. The partnership will mean we can ensure a high quality poll for the BBC's election results programme and deliver value for money for the audience."

ITV News assistant editor Craig Oliver quoted as saying, "In sharing this exit poll we have brought together Professor Colin Rallings and the Professor John Curtice - Britain's foremost election analysts. No one is better qualified to ensure we get an accurate picture of how the country has voted."