ActionSA proposes stricter rules on political polling in S. Africa
The legislation calls for the creation of a new oversight body within the Electoral Commission of South Africa, the Office of the Polling Ombud, to monitor political and exit polls. ActionSA wants this office to have authority to register polling organizations, enforce compliance, levy fines, and ensure transparency in polling activities.
The office would also establish rules for mandatory registration, disclosure of polling information, and restrictions on the timing of publishing poll results. Specifically, the bill would prohibit the official printing or release of election-related political polls within seven days prior to an election.
ActionSA highlighted concerns stemming from a controversial poll released before last year’s national and provincial elections, which failed to identify its commissioning party or the organization that conducted it. The party argued that the poll, attributed anonymously to a media company, amounted to “push polling” aimed at shaping public opinion rather than gathering genuine data.
“The integrity of electoral democracy relies heavily on citizens’ fair, transparent, and informed participation. Political opinion polling plays a significant role in shaping public perceptions, guiding media coverage, influencing campaign strategies and ultimately shaping voting patterns,” the party said.
ActionSA warned that without formal regulation, polling data could be manipulated or misrepresented, spreading misinformation and influencing elections without accountability.
Currently, only section 109 of the Electoral Act limits the publication of exit poll results during voting hours, leaving pre-election opinion polls largely unregulated.
“This narrow restriction does not apply to the broader and more influential category of pre-election political opinion polling. South Africa lacks any specific legal provisions governing the conduct, publication, and dissemination of political opinion polling during or before election periods,” ActionSA noted.
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