Sting Operation Again: Election Commission likely to ban Opinion Polls

New Delhi, Feb 26: The

(EC) is likely to ban all

which are conducted ahead of all elections including Lok Sabha poll in the country. A sting operation apparently has exposed a shocking side of a few recognised organisations which carry such opinion polls which are aired and published in several news TV channel and newspapers.

After the sting operation, an official of EC was quoted as saying, "We have asked for the raw footage of tapes from the channel, and they have agreed to give."

"After forensic analysis and thorough examination of the footage, we may take a call on banning opinion polls. This is already an existing demand," he added while speaking about the sting operation conducted by News Express television channel.

After forensic analysis, we may take a call on banning opinion polls: EC

The sting, which was called -- Operation Prime Minister, showed "how opinion polls are conducted and manipulated at the instance of political parties, their results traded to show a particular party in a favourable position, for a price."

At least, eleven agencies, which relay opinion polls to media, have been exposed by the sting operation. Well-known agency like C-voter too featured in the sting operation. However, it did not include agencies like -- CSDS and Neilson.

Opinion polls ahead of any elections are considered as one of the weapons of the political parties to change the mindsets of voters. Now, it seems that EC's possible decision of banning the opinion polls might impact a few political parties ahead of Lok Sabha election which is due by May 2014.

OneIndia News