ActionSA Pushes for New Bill to Regulate Political Polling Ahead of Elections

ActionSA Moves to Tame Political Polls in South Africa

South Africa may soon see tighter controls on political polls, thanks to ActionSA’s latest initiative. The party has submitted a notice in Parliament for a draft Electoral Laws Amendment Bill, which would formally regulate the publication of political polling data.

Introduced by ActionSA parliamentarian Lerato Ngobeni, the bill, dubbed the Electoral Integrity Billaims to clamp down on poll manipulation and increase transparency around the funding and methodology of surveys.

“In the absence of clear regulation, political opinion polls risk becoming tools of misinformation and manipulation, shaping voter behaviour without accountability,” Ngobeni said.

Why the Bill Matters

Polling has become a powerful tool in modern South African elections. News outlets, campaign teams, and social media channels often use poll results to craft narratives about which parties are gaining ground or losing support. Yet, there is currently no legal framework governing how, when, and by whom political polls can be conducted or published.

Ngobeni argued that this lack of regulation leaves the public vulnerable to biased or inaccurate polls, particularly when the sponsors or methodologies are undisclosed. The new legislation would mandate:

• Registration of all polling entities

• Disclosure of funding, methodology, and sample demographics

• Prohibition of publishing polls in the weeks leading up to an election

• Establishment of a polling ombudsman under the Electoral Commission of South Africa

The Role of a Polling Ombudsman

The proposed ombudsman would not only register and oversee polling companies but also audit compliance, investigate complaints, issue fines, and maintain a public database. In effect, it would function as a watchdog, ensuring that pollsters can’t subtly sway public opinion through misleading or undisclosed methods.

Ngobeni noted that countries like Brazil, Canada, France, and Italy already have such regulations in place, placing South Africa behind in the global conversation on electoral transparency.

A Chance for Public Input

ActionSA has opened the bill to public and political commentary. Interested parties, including other political organisations, can submit written representations to Parliament or ActionSA until 23 November 2025.

“This is an opportunity for stakeholders to shape the future of polling regulation and protect the integrity of our elections,” Ngobeni said.

Local Reactions and Commentary

The announcement has sparked conversations across social media, with many praising the move as a step toward greater electoral transparency. Some commentators, however, question how effectively the ombudsman could monitor smaller polling operations or enforce penalties on high-profile media outlets.

Despite the questions, experts agree that if implemented effectively, the bill could prevent politically motivated distortions of poll results and provide voters with reliable, accountable information in the lead-up to elections.

As South Africa approaches its next election cycle, the integrity of political polling has never been more critical. ActionSA’s bill represents a proactive attempt to safeguard democracy, ensuring that voters are guided by accurate information rather than manipulated numbers.

“This is about strengthening trust in our electoral process and ensuring every voter can make informed choices,” Ngobeni concluded.

{Source: The Citizen}

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