TNN reports that one of the biggest opinion poll agencies, which has its results aired and widely published, is purportedly shown willing to increase its margin of error from the standard three per cent to five per cent.Such a change could have dramatic effect on the seats projected in the 'first-past-the-post' system in India.
The managing director of the company says they "can darn but we cannot put a patch". The sting shows the company's business development manager saying they would charge a separate fee for the manipulation. "The margin of error then can be used internally to further calculate, manipulate whatever you wanna call and create those kind of numbers," she is shown as saying in the hidden recording.
The expose, called Operation Prime Minister, "shows how opinion polls are conducted and manipulated at the instance of political parties, their results traded to show a particular party in a favourable position, for a price," said a statement issued by News Express television channel.
TOI cannot independently vouch for the veracity of the sting operation.
Vinod Kapri, the editor-in-chief of the channel, said, they were motivated to carry out the sting operation by a letter written by the Election Commission of India to all regional and national parties on October 4, 2013 inviting their views on the publication of opinion polls. The commission had raised its concern that "there could be several manipulated opinion polls which could impact the voting pattern". He said they were also prompted by the mushrooming of opinion polls and how is the data generated so quickly and processed,".
INDIA HONEST,without arguing or challenging the veracity of the above sting operation, reasons one logical point that why can't a fake sting operation can be managed with a higher price-tag, when the the persons in such reputed opinion-poll maker are willing to be sold.
And when the stakes are so high, as the innocent people of the country are so motivated to be swayed by the results of opinion poll results,why one should doubt that the political parties (as alleged) are willing to pay price for such manipulation ?
But the question is, why can't those political parties, who are apparently on loosing grounds, resorts to such tactics, when the inherent stakes are so high while the implied monetary implication is so low in comparison ? Thus the idea may work equally in the same way,as regards to either a fake opinion poll or another fake sting operation, even it will be more convenient and handy when the experts in Tehalka or CobraPost are knocking on door for business, to save the sinking ship .
This is big question mark is on the integrity of such sting operation maker, who knows, if one is willing to put his reputation on gamble ? As in India, in past none of the sting operation has come to a conclusive results except one or two case, like "Bangaru" case where he was asked to resign.
The huge downgrade that has been seen evidently among the mushrooming political leadership; and along the line why not this can now be equally tagged to the news makers, opinion poll creators,who by their acts, has forced the versatile Fourth Pillar to be called a "paid media", where news and views can be planted for a cost.
Both the opinion poll maker and the vastly reported and advertised ( serving some hidden objective) of the "so called sting operation", has only demeaned the Indian democracy .