Who’s Behind the Numbers? Comelec Orders Survey Firms to Come Clean
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) just dropped a bombshell resolution, and if you’re running pre-election surveys, you better pay attention.
Effective immediately, all individuals and organizations conducting these surveys must register with the poll body and disclose who’s funding them before publishing results. Sounds straightforward? Well, let’s break it down.
Under Comelec Resolution No. 11117, promulgated on February 19, survey firms and individuals must pre-register with the Comelec’s political finance and affairs department. They’ll need to detail their methodology and funding sources using a standardized form. If you’re already conducting surveys, you have a 15-day grace period to comply. Otherwise? Suspension of your authority to conduct and publish election surveys.
Who’s Covered?
It’s Not Just Polling Firms
Surprise! This resolution isn’t just targeting big-name survey firms. It applies to “any person, whether natural or juridical, candidate, or organization that conducts and publicly disseminates an election survey.” In short: anyone running election polls and making them public is now on Comelec’s radar.
What’s Required?
Beyond simply registering, the new rules demand transparency. Survey groups and individuals must submit detailed reports within five days of publishing results.
These reports must include:
Survey period
Methodology
Number of respondents
Sampling areas
Specific questions asked
Margin of error
And here’s the kicker: They must also disclose who commissioned or paid for the survey—a requirement that has existed since 2013 under Resolution 9615, but now with stricter enforcement.
If a candidate funded the survey, they must declare the total amount spent, which the Comelec will cross-check against their Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE). So, candidates hoping to keep their survey expenses off the books? Not happening.
Raw survey data? That also needs to be available for inspection, copying, and verification by Comelec, registered political parties, bona fide candidates, and Comelec-accredited citizen’s arms. Transparency, or bust.
What Counts as an Election Survey?
According to Comelec, election surveys measure voters’ opinions and perceptions about a candidate’s popularity, qualifications, platforms, or other election-related issues. And to keep things in check, the poll body will set up a verification system through its Education and Information Department. A special task force will also be created to alert voters about potential fake surveys.
Media and Online Publishing?
Disclose or Face the Consequences. Broadcast media and survey firms posting results online are also on the hook. The resolution mandates that published surveys must clearly state who conducted and funded them. No more vague, data-without-context reports.
And the Penalties?
Comelec Isn’t Playing Around. Non-compliance will bring strict penalties, including fines, suspension of accreditation, or legal action for deliberate misrepresentation of survey data. Publishing pre-election surveys without the required disclosures? That’s now an election offense under Republic Act 9006, also known as the Fair Elections Act.
How to Submit Reports?
Organizations and individuals must email their reports to pfad@comelec.gov.ph and eid@comelec.gov.ph. The standardized registration template will be available for download on the Comelec’s official website within seven days of the resolution’s publication.
Bottom line?
If you’re conducting election surveys, there’s no more operating under the radar. Comelec wants full transparency, and failure to comply could cost you more than just credibility—it could shut you down.
