House backs Bill regulating opinion polls
MPs have thrown their weight behind the regulation of opinion polls and also proposed the prohibition of publication of findings a week to an election.
The Publication of Electoral Opinion Polls Bill sailed through the second reading on Wednesday after a failed first attempt last year.
The mover of the Bill, Ikolomani MP Dr Boni Khalwale, had proposed that no opinion polls should be conducted 48 hours to the election.
MPs, though supporting the Bill, said the proposed period was too short and suggested an amendment from 72 hours to a week.
Disclosed to the public
Introducing the Bill, Dr Khalwale said there was need for a law that ensures electoral opinion polls were done in a scientific and transparent manner and that relevant information be disclosed to the public.
He cited coverage bias as an issue, saying, if coverage is not scientific or is biased, it would adversely affect results.
“This law wants to ensure that you can enjoy your right to do the business of opinion polling but, please, do not be biased in coverage,” he said.
He said an unregulated opinion poll usually results in the richer and better educated members of society participating, unless it is scientific.
MPs argued that the period before voting was critical and no publication of findings should take place to avoid confusing voters.
Ndaragwa MP Jeremiah Kioni said the law was important to tame “politicians who feel the only way to deal with the industry is to also own a polling agency.”
