THE DUBIOUS EXIT POLL SURVEYS: FAZ’S ATTEMPT TO UNDERMINE DEMOCRACY?

As Zimbabwe approaches another pivotal election, the narrative of a fair and democratic process is under severe threat. Emerging from the shadows is FAZ, a little-known organisation making waves with their questionable exit poll surveys outside polling stations. These surveys are gaining notoriety, with many fearing they are being used to overturn the genuine will of the people and rig the elections in favour of the ZANU PF party. With ZANU PF’s relevance waning and their bond with the citizenry strained, is this a desperate attempt to clutch onto power?

Firstly, it’s essential to understand what exit poll surveys are. Historically, they have been a critical tool to forecast election results, taken immediately after voters cast their ballots. Reliable and well-executed exit polls can be impressively accurate. However, like any tool, they can be misused in the wrong hands. The key lies in the methodology, the sample size, and the impartiality of the conducting body.

The allegations against FAZ are manifold:

1. Sampling Bias: One of the significant concerns raised is that FAZ is selectively choosing who to survey. A genuinely representative exit poll would involve randomly selecting voters from various backgrounds, ensuring a fair cross-section of the electorate. However, multiple eyewitness accounts suggest FAZ is approaching specific demographics, which could skew the results in favour of ZANU PF.
2. Leading Questions: Some voters, having partaken in the FAZ surveys, have reported being asked leading questions. These are questions framed in a way that subtly prompts the respondent to answer in a particular direction, thus manipulating the result.
3. Data Manipulation: Transparency is crucial in any survey. For an exit poll to be credible, the raw data and methodology should be openly available for scrutiny. However, FAZ has been notably opaque about its process, raising suspicions about possible data tampering or misrepresentation.
4. Association with ZANU PF: While an organisation conducting an exit poll should be impartial, there are swirling rumours about FAZ’s connections to the ZANU PF party. Such affiliations, if proven true, seriously undermine the credibility of their exit poll results.

But why would ZANU PF, a party with a historic legacy, resort to such tactics?

The party’s relevance in modern Zimbabwean politics has come under question. Many believe that the party has lost its connection to the people, leading to a fractured social contract. Rather than addressing genuine concerns of the populace – unemployment, economic stagnation, and alleged corruption – the party seems to be focusing on strategies to retain power.

The danger of such ill-conceived exit polls is the narrative they create. In a politically charged environment, early exit poll results can sway public opinion and create either a bandwagon or an underdog effect. If FAZ’s surveys continuously and inaccurately predict a ZANU PF win, it could demoralise opposition voters or even convince undecided ones to join the perceived ‘winning’ side.

Moreover, if the actual election results contrast starkly with the exit polls, it provides a basis for the losing party to cry foul, leading to potential unrest and instability. Democracy relies not just on the act of voting but on the belief that the system is fair. If that trust is eroded, the very fabric of Zimbabwe’s democratic future is at risk.

Citizens, political analysts, and international observers must be vigilant. To ensure a truly representative democracy, it’s vital to call out any attempts to manipulate the system, especially if they come under the guise of legitimate tools like exit polls.

Zimbabwe stands at a crossroads. For the nation to move forward, its electoral process must be transparent, fair, and devoid of manipulation. It is the responsibility of every Zimbabwean to safeguard the sanctity of their vote and to ensure that the will of the people triumphs over political machinations.