Comelec urges candidates, parties to reveal survey expenses

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Thursday urged candidates and political parties to disclose the amount they spent on surveys released during the election period, including survey subscriptions.

In a resolution, Comelec stated that candidates must report total expenditures on such surveys, as the data may be used to verify their Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE).

Candidates or organizations publishing a survey must also disclose:

• The name of the person, candidate, party, or organization that commissioned or funded the survey;

• The name of the polling firm or survey organization that conducted it;

• The survey period, methodology, number of respondents, selected areas, and specific questions asked;

• The survey’s margin of error; and

• A mailing address and telephone number for contacting the sponsor.

"The survey, along with raw data supporting its conclusions, shall be available for inspection, copying, and verification by the Comelec, a registered political party, a bona fide candidate, or a Comelec-accredited citizen's arm," the poll body stated.

Citing the Fair Election Act, Comelec reiterated that the names of individuals or entities subscribing to survey firms must be disclosed.

Additionally, any individual or organization conducting and publicly disseminating election surveys must register with the Comelec's Political Finance and Affairs Department. Only pre-registered entities will be authorized to conduct and release election polls.

As defined by Comelec, election surveys measure voter opinions on candidates' popularity, qualifications, platforms, or public issues related to the election, including voter preferences during the campaign period.