Opinion Polls Emerge as Key Issue: Survey Period, Candidate Composition, Announcement Timing

The camp of Yang Chung-mo, a preliminary candidate for Namwon Mayor under the Democratic Party, has filed a complaint with the Central Election Opinion Polls Scrutiny Commission (CEOSC) over poll results published ahead of the party's internal primary. Yang's camp is raising issues concerning the survey period, candidate composition, and the timing of the results' announcement. The preliminary candidate's side stated that verification is required, questioning the actual survey period and methodology, as indicated on the registered questionnaire which listed April 3rd to 5th as the survey duration. They also demanded confirmation of relevant standards for factors that could influence the results, such as the actual survey period and method, the process of securing samples in a short period, the survey methodology, response rates, and differences in candidate composition between survey questionnaires from March and April. Yang's camp emphasized the importance of the issue, citing concerns that the reliability and fairness of the poll results could impact the primary outcome, and requested verification of related data, including the time difference between the survey period and the announcement date.

The Namwon mayoral suitability poll in question was conducted by DeepOpinion at the request of Sisaneunse. It surveyed 745 adults aged 18 and above residing in Namwon City for one day on April 3rd, using a wireless ARS method. The poll reported a response rate of 16.2% and a margin of error of ±3.6%p at a 95% confidence level.

The main primary election to select the Democratic Party's candidate for Namwon Mayor is scheduled to take place on April 11th and 12th.