The Commission on Audit has moved to stamp out bogus and biased pre-election poll surveys as it ordered those commissioning and conducting polls to reveal their identity, whether organizations and individuals prior to publication of the results

The Comelec was apparently acting on complaints by many sectors that poll survey firms have again started to mushroom, and the highly suspicious results of polling are easily published in the media.

In Comelec Resolution No. 11117 that was promulgated on Feb. 19 (Wednesday), the poll body ordered all individuals and firms involved in the survey to register with the agenc’;s political finance and affairs department using a standardized form detailing the procedures they adopted in conducting polls.

The survey firms are also directed to reveal the funding sources and the people or organizations requesting the surveys.

Comelec warned that in case of non-compliance, it will not hesitate to suspend the authority granted firms to conduct and publish election surveys.

Aside from polling firms, individuals, including candidates, and organizations commissioning the survey are also bound to comply with the new regulations.

CR 1117 requires that “poll companies or any entity conducting election surveys” are required to submit reports within five days prior to the publication of surveyr esults.

The said reports must include the methodology by which the survey was conducted; the number of respondents, sampling areeas, specific questions asked and margin of error.

“If applicable, the total amount spent by candidates on such surveys must also be disclosed. The Commission may use this date to verify the candidates’ reported expenses in the Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE),” the Comelec resolution added.

The poll body also wants the raw survey data be made available for its analysis, copying and verification.