Berlin, Aug 31 (DPA) Data from exit polls in Germany was widely distributed via the online service Twitter Sunday, breaking a confidentiality law and upsetting electoral officials.

The data was embargoed until 6 p.m. (1600 GMT) Sunday when polls closed, but began coursing hours earlier through Twitter, a web service that broadcasts very short personal messages. The originator of the initial message was anonymous.

Survey companies compute the most likely poll outcome about four hours before voting booths close, based on interviews with voters who have just cast their ballots.

The surveys are commissioned by television channels, which say that hundreds of people working on news desks can see it before it is flashed on television screens.

Politicians have often demanded access to the data too, so they can reflect on the results before commenting.