Presidential election 2015 in Belarus

MINSK, 11 October (BelTA) – Sociologists would like to warn that false data may be presented under the guise of exit poll results. The statement was made by David Rotman, Doctor of Sociological Sciences, Director of the Social and Political Studies Center of the Belarusian State University, during the roundtable session held in the information center of Belarus’ Central Election Commission (CEC) on 11 October to discuss sociological support for the election campaign and the responsibility of sociologists before the society, BelTA has learned.

David Rotman pointed out that some foreign agencies are trying to poll people by phone and present the data as results of exit polls. “Such cases happen, including in our country. Some organizations located abroad have tried to poll people by phone and position the results as exit polls. Although those were just phone calls,” he stressed.

The sociologist stressed that phone calls must not be mixed with exit polls since an exit poll envisages people being polled as they leave polling stations. “If someone classifies phone calls as exit polls, you can see what kind of professionals they are,” concluded David Rotman.