AMID the wave of surveys on the possible outcome of the May 12 senatorial and party-list race, all polling firms were required by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to first register with them before conducting and publishing future polls.
“Only pre-registered entities shall be authorized to conduct and publicly disseminate election surveys… this requirement shall be applied prospectively,” said the Comelec in Resolution No. 11117.
The resolution states that all polling firms should register with the Comelec – Political Finance and Affairs Department (PFAD).
Survey firms that have already been conducting and disseminating election surveys are given a grace period of 15 days from the date of effectivity to complete their registration with the Comelec.
“During this period, they may continue their operations, but failure to register within the prescribed timeframe shall result in the suspension of their authority to conduct and publish election surveys,” said the poll body.
Survey firms Social Weather Stations (SWS), Pulse Asia and OCTA Research, among other pollsters, have been at the forefront in the conduct of surveys related to the May 12 elections.
Aside from registering, the Comelec also ordered poll companies or any entity conducting election surveys to submit a comprehensive report, which must include details on where the results were published, to the Comelec – PFAD within five days from the publication of the survey.
The resolution also said all broadcast media can only publish an election survey that contains the name of the entity which conducted the survey along with the name/s of the person, candidate, party, or organization that commissioned or paid for the survey.
“This requirement shall also apply to survey firms publishing their materials online, including through social media platforms,” said the Comelec.
The poll body said the regulations on poll surveys is necessary to promote transparency considering its “significant influence” in shaping voter preferences.
Failure to comply with the guidelines will be considered an election offense.
OCTA Research and Pulse Asia declined to comment on the Comelec order, saying they have yet to read and study the resolution.
Ronald Holmes of Pulse Asia said: “We still have to receive the resolution, and we will review it first.”
Ranjit Rye of OCTA Research, in a separate message, said they also want to study the resolution and its implications first before making a comment.
The SWS has yet to make a comment on the matter. – With Jocelyn Montemayor
