So Many Surveys… So Many Different Results… That is Why People are Now Questioning the Integrity of Surveys
Every election season, newspapers, TV channels, online portals, and YouTube channels start releasing political surveys. One survey says one party is leading. Another survey says another party is winning.
Even when three surveys are done in the same constituency, during the same time, and in the same region — even then, three different results are coming out.
This has created a big question among people:
Are surveys actually reflecting public opinion? Or are they being used to create a “winning atmosphere” for political parties that pay money?
This is the most important question today in this election climate.
Why are surveys showing contradictory results?
There are three major roots to this problem:
1) Sample Size (How many people were asked?)
Some surveys agencies ask only 3,000 people.
Some ask 30,000 people.
How can both these numbers produce the same accuracy?
Naturally their results vary.
2) Where did they collect the data?
One survey takes data in middle-class residential areas.
One survey focuses on slum areas / working-class areas.
Another picks more data from senior citizens.
Obviously, opinions will differ.
3) How were the questions framed?
Even a single sentence changes a person’s answer.
Example:
“Are the services of this government good?”
→ this question will get one type of answer.
“Should this government be replaced?”
→ this question will get a different type of answer.
So wording of the question also influences the result.
The big allegation today
There is a growing belief that some surveys agencies take money and release biased survey reports.
This is not a secret.
On social media, “survey propaganda teams” are openly active.
Their method is simple:
prepare graphics showing one particular party as leading strongly
spread that graphic aggressively on social networks
create a psychological environment of “they are the real winners”
This affects a section of voters who think:
“We should vote only for the party that is winning.”
This is called trend propaganda — mental marketing.
How to identify genuine surveys?
Real surveys disclose:
how many respondents were asked
which geographical areas were covered
which age groups and social groups were considered
how the questionnaire was framed
Surveys that do not disclose these basic parameters are suspicious.
Final Understanding
Survey is a scientific tool.
But it gives knowledge only when used honestly.
If it is used as a political weapon — then it becomes mere propaganda.
So citizens must develop analytical thinking:
Don’t blindly believe surveys.
Observe, question, and analyse.
The true result of an election does not come on a survey chart.
It comes through the actual votes cast by the people.
Survey gives only an estimate. People’s vote gives the real truth.