The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has announced a new measure to enhance transparency in the upcoming midterm elections. Under a recently approved resolution, Comelec will publish reports from survey firms conducting election polls on its official website.
This initiative, led by Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia, aims to provide voters with clear insights into survey methodologies, funding sources, and key findings.
New Guidelines for Election Survey Firms
The new directive is outlined in Comelec Resolution No. 11117, which was promulgated on Wednesday. It mandates that all polling firms must:
- Register with Comelec’s Political Finance and Affairs Department (PFAD)
- Submit a comprehensive report within five days of survey publication
- Disclose who funded and commissioned the survey
- Provide survey parameters and methodologies
This move ensures that the public can scrutinize the validity of survey results and the interests behind them.
Survey Reports Will Be Publicly Available
Garcia emphasized that all submitted reports will be made public on the Comelec website. This includes details about:
- The firm conducting the survey
- The methodology used
- The entities funding the poll
“We will make sure that whatever is submitted to us will be accessible to the public,” Garcia stated. “The goal is to prevent secrecy and ensure accountability.”
Comelec is also working with its Education and Information Department to verify whether the published results match the official submissions.
Ensuring Fair Election Practices
While election surveys play a crucial role in shaping public opinion, Comelec is taking steps to ensure that all candidates receive equal opportunities under the new guidelines.
Garcia mentioned that Comelec will hold meetings with survey firms to discuss their concerns and ensure compliance with the new requirements.
Additionally, for the first time in history, Comelec has already published the certificates of candidacy for both national and local election candidates, as well as party-list nominees. After the elections, it will also release the statements of contributions and expenditures from candidates to further promote transparency.
Long-Term Impact on Election Integrity
By making survey reports publicly accessible, Comelec hopes to:
- Build voter trust in election-related data
- Deter misleading or manipulated surveys
- Hold poll firms accountable for their findings
This initiative is part of a broader push to strengthen electoral integrity and ensure that voters receive accurate, unbiased information when making their decisions.
With the midterm elections fast approaching, these transparency measures mark a significant step toward fair and informed voting in the Philippines.