Opinion polls after notification of election dates promote herd mentality

Opinion polls after notification of election dates promote herd mentality

Application of ban on opinion polls by the election commission beginning from the announcement of elections till votes are cast is totally erroneous.

For:

- Opinion polls main purpose is for voters to discuss and debate, this will help them take a strong and clear stand and also have expert opinions on their decisions
- It is also inculcates a sense of competition amongst the political party members and lets them adopt new ways to pursue the voters
- The opinion polls help the government and the political parties know about the thought process of the public

Against:

- Opinion polls are used for people to debate on whose candidature is more perfect and whom should they cast vote, by banning the opinion polls the whole motive of opinion polls is washed away
- By banning the opinion polls, the government is taking away our right to opinion, which is completely immoral
- There is always a risk factor attached if the people already know who is going to the leading party
- The parties could also use bribes as a tool to attract voters towards their party
- The results could be biased also because of one’s ability to influence a great mass of people leading to corruption and anger in the other party members

Conclusion:

- Banning of opinion polls completely is not the solution, the opinion polls should be open for a limited period where the voters can discuss their point of view and vote which should be done in the absence of the party leaders.
- The polls should be closed some days in advance to the dates actually used for casting the votes, so that the secrecy of who is going to win the polls is also maintained amongst both, the parties as well as the voters.