This article explores the potential drawbacks of opinion polls conducted in the Philippines, particularly their influence on voter behavior and the potential for bandwagoning effects.
A couple of surveys are out; more are expected to come in the coming months leading up to the midterm elections . These, they say, are meant to 'guide voters' in deciding who will be the next set of national and local political leaders they would want to govern them and fulfill their aspirations and remedy their frustrations. A considerable number of Filipinos believe that these surveys and the publication of the results should stop, arguing that these do not at all guide voters.
They opine that surveys like these create bandwagoning that tends to lure the voters to go with the 'preference' of the majority. They conclude that surveys generate a trend that would sway voters to discard their 'unpopular' candidates and opt for the more 'popular' ones because they think that theirs are not leading in the surveys, and hence, unlikely to win. I must concede that surveys of this kind tend to create bandwagoning and trending where voters insufficiently educated of the issues and track record of candidates (sadly, there are a majority of us) tend to be easily swayed by the results. Aside from issues like the framing of the questions, the timing, and the unknown groups or individuals who commissioned them, I believe that these social investigations should stop because they do not serve the 'intended' purpose. I would argue that they tend to guide the politicians more than they do the voters. Are respondents to be blamed? The surveyed voters' 'preference' for certain candidates reflects their aspirations for their political leaders, or for government, if you like. Those leading in the recent surveys for candidates for senator were such because of how they presented themselves to the public. They were perceived by the respondents to be the most capable — and able with tangible results — to act immediately on their complaints or address their issues with compassion
Philippines Opinion Polls Midterm Elections Voter Behavior Bandwagon Effect
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