Rt Hon Winston Peters

New Zealand First Leader
09 May 2012

Stop Political Polling Before A General Election – Peters

New Zealand First says market research companies should voluntarily agree to stop political polling during the four weeks prior to a general election because of the way they distort the political process.

Rt Hon Winston Peters says news that the industry is hosting a forum to consider a code of practice could signal a positive step for democracy.

“We know through research that about eight per cent of people don’t bother to vote at an election because of what the political polls tell them.

“We also know that since the 1996 election, even polls from respectable companies have been wildly incorrect.

“If you put these two facts together then you have an industry that is directly influencing who runs the country. That is not the role of pollsters. It’s for voters to decide.

“And the way the media skews the polling results, as if they are a guaranteed outcome, magnifies the problem.”

Mr Peters says it is time for market researchers to reach agreement and stop polling during the four weeks prior to an election.

“We would be happy to draft a Members Bill that does just that if marketers don’t reverse their arrogant attitude and stop their polling madness,” says Mr Peters.

ENDS

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