1. Election surveys, particularly opinion polls, have recently come under a cloud of controversy because of their ability to influence the voters. Do pre-election opinion polls tangibly influence decisions of voters? Is there a need to impose reasonable restrictions on opinion polls conducted by media.

Approach:

The answer needs to dwell on the broad reasons why the Opinion Polls are being questioned. Secondly, highlight the need to impose restrictions on the Opinion Polls along with the view of Election Commission& its guidelines, Supreme Court & Govt. (to lend more weight to the answer). Then, conclude the answer by bringing out the utility of the Opinion Polls & the kind of restrictions to be put on them so as to strike a fine balance between the ‘use’ & ‘misuse’ of Opinion Polls.