EP 29: Understanding Opinion Polls and Pre-election Surveys

In May next year, we will go out and vote for our next president.

The importance of this election cannot be overemphasized. 

We’re all reeling from the pandemic which has exposed both the weaknesses of our health care system and the incompetence of our leaders. 

So if we all want change, we have to start with the ballot.

But how much do voters really know about the candidates to make an informed decision on election day?

How many of them are deeply familiar with issues that matter?

How do they know if those ambitious politicians can actually deliver?

Or are they only a product of some well-funded and well-executed PR campaign?

In the meantime, pre-election surveys are supposed to provide a snapshot of voter preference at a particular time. but do they accurately reflect the opinion of voters? Can they be manipulated?

In this episode, Christian Esguerra sits down with Prof. Imelda Deinla, Convenor of BOSES Pilipinas and Prof. Antonio Contreras, Chief Political Analyst of DigiVoice to try to better understand opinion polls and pre-election surveys.