Indonesian pollsters unite to battle restrictions

INDONESIA-- More than 20 opinion polling firms have formed an association to establish standards and resist new rules requiring them to register with the General Elections Commission (KPU) before publishing election polls.

Andrinof Chaniago of the University of Indonesia has been elected chairman of the Indonesian Public Opinion Survey Association. According to the Jakarta Globe, he said the group would be prepared to ignore the new regulations as a last resort if the matter could not be resolved through dialogue with the KPU or a judicial review.

The association is working on a code of conduct to address concerns over objectivity and transparency. The members feel that the requirement to register with the KPU puts too much power in the commission's hands and will obstruct pollsters' work, the Jakarta Post reported.

Author: Robert Bain

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