Will more firms like GAD3 stop conducting surveys in Colombia due to "impossible demands" of a "gag" law?
The Spanish firm GAD3 will no longer publish electoral surveys for RCN or any other media in Colombia. The decision is related to the new regulation for surveys approved in 2025, which has also led other polling firms like Cifras y Conceptos to withdraw; additionally, Guarumo is considering discontinuing this work for the 2027 regional elections.
TL;DR
- Spanish firm GAD3 will no longer publish electoral surveys in Colombia due to new 2025 regulations.
- The firm cites "impossible" demands from a Technical Commission of the National Electoral Council (CNE) regarding research rigor and operational viability.
- Specific requirements include demonstrating a certain and quantifiable probability of citizen selection, which GAD3 argues is unrealistic.
- GAD3 claims these demands are stricter than those for international surveys like the Eurobarometer and some Colombian official surveys.
- Other firms like Cifras y Conceptos have also withdrawn from public electoral surveys, and Guarumo is considering doing so for regional elections.
- The article suggests the new regulations may hinder scientific rigor and the evaluation of predictive capacity in surveys.
- Concerns are raised that this situation could limit voter information and favor certain elites.
- GAD3 will continue non-electoral projects and operations in other countries.