Pre-poll survey reports may be banned by the Government in the wake of the Election Commission’s recommendations if not the surveys not only on the increase but also giving damaging reports on some of the parties. 

Talking on Pre-poll surveys the Chief Election Commissioner V S Sampath reminded that the EC has given its recommendations way back in 2004 elections about them.  A TV channel conducted a sting operation on some of the agencies conducting pre-poll surveys.  EC is alarmed at it and will look into it as CEC says.

CEC VS Sampath said today during his visit to the premises of workshop conducted by the AIR and Doordarshan correspondents, "As far as opinion polls are concerned, Commission has taken a view, not today but ten years back in the year 2004 after they held an all-party meeting. They made their recommendations, subsequently also they collected the views of different political parties which have been given. The ball is in the court of the government".  

Prasar Bharati CEO Jawhar Sircar and Information and Broadcasting Secretary Bimal Julka attended the workshop.

It is true that a survey report may leave its impact on the voters and as the EC is committed to conduct fair polls in the country, restrictions may be imposed on those surveys during the election time leaving sufficient time to the voters to make up their mind regarding the election of people’s representatives.

But the survey reports if taken positively they will be useful to the contesting political parties and their candidates to improve their style of working.  

The political analysts are in the opinion that the statement made by EC may prompt the present Government to take action regarding ban on pre-election survey as all of the recent survey reports are indicating rosy picture to the opposition parties and gloomy one to the ruling party which not only may leave an impact on the voters but also may depress party leaders and workers and may prompt some of them even to migrate!

Logically the reports may do some good to the political parties as they will be too busy in their work to conduct a survey of their own.  But as Election Commission observes it should not be allowed for a reasonable period before elections after the election schedule is announced.

Recently Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde also expressed his anger about the survey reports and said that the Government will crush those media persons who talk against Congress party. If it is an indication Government may consider it in the short time left now before election schedele is announced.

-SriJa