Comelec issues new guidelines on election surveys, requires firms' registration
By Dhel Nazario
Survey firms disseminating election surveys must now register first with the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
This is according to the seven-page Comelec resolution No. 11117 promulgated on Wednesday, February 19.
“During the election period, any person, whether natural or juridical, candidate, or organization that conducts and publicly disseminates an election survey must register with the Political Finance and Affairs Department (PFAD) of the Commission,” the resolution stated.
The resolution shall apply during the election period for national and local candidates for the May 2025 polls.
Under the same resolution, the poll body said that only pre-registered entities shall be authorized to conduct and publicly disseminate election surveys.
Poll companies or any entity conducting election surveys shall also submit a comprehensive report to Comelec, through PFAD, within five (5) days from the publication of the survey.
Yet survey firms that have already been conducting and disseminating election surveys prior to the publication of the resolution shall be given a grace period of 15 days from the date of effectivity to complete their registration with the poll body.
"During this period, they may continue their operations, but failure to register within the prescribed timeframe shall result in the suspension of their authority to conduct and publish election surveys," the resolution stated.
It also states that if applicable, the total amount spent by candidates on such surveys must also be disclosed. This data may be used by Comelec to verify the candidate's reported expenses in the Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE).
The resolution also requires the mandatory disclosure of survey sponsors and details prior to publication. Broadcast media providers shall only publish an election survey if it contains the name of the entity which conducted the survey along with the name/s of the person, candidate, party or organization that commissioned or paid for the survey, if any.
This requirement also apply to survey firms publishing their materials online, including through social media platforms. This shall likewise apply to survey firms who will publish their materials online, particularly in social media.
Survey firms and media organizations that fail to comply with disclosure or reporting requirements shall be subject to strict penalties, which may include fines, suspension of accreditation, or legal action in cases of deliberate misrepresentation of survey data.