Revista dela mañana Armando Novoa - Normatividad para las encuestas electorales (Campaña presidencial) 18 de mayo 2018

Abstract

Judge Armando Novoa of the National Electoral Council (CNE) clarified the regulations regarding the publication and analysis of electoral polls in the lead-up to the presidential campaign, based on Law 996 of 2005. Novoa confirmed that there is a legal ban prohibiting the dissemination of new polls or opinion surveys during the week prior to the election. This restriction takes effect on the Monday before the election, allowing publication only until the Sunday before. However, the CNE's Plenary Session specified that this prohibition does not cover analyses, commentaries, or interpretations made by the media regarding polls validly published before the start of the ban. Novoa emphasized that, while freedom of the press allows for debate on previous data during the ban week, the media may not conduct or publish forecasts based on cross-referencing information from different polls, as this would be considered a new opinion poll prohibited by law. The rationale behind the regulation is to guarantee a period of reflection for citizens before they vote.