Experts say securing 500 responses in 80 minutes is a statistical contradiction. Voters are questioning the poll’s fairness and urging the election commission to launch a thorough probe. The election commission is reviewing the poll data and verifying the facts. The case underscores the need to safeguard poll reliability and election transparency.
[March 17, 2026] A poll conducted ahead of the Daegu Gunwi County mayoral election finished at an unusually rapid pace, prompting questions about its reliability. The survey of 500 people was completed in just 80 minutes, a sharp contrast with past polls that typically took five to six hours.
▲ A survey that typically takes six hours finished in 80 minutes... 'record speed' raises statistical concerns
Agency A’s poll, conducted March 6–7, was completed in 80 minutes. That pace is four to five times faster than the five- to six-hour average for Gunwi County local leader approval polls between 2021 and 2026. The operation placed roughly 214 outgoing calls per minute—about five times the historical average of 42.7—and the rate of completed responses per minute was about four times higher than previously observed.
Experts note that, given Gunwi County’s low population density and older demographic profile, securing 500 valid responses in 80 minutes is statistically implausible and physically unlikely. While the overall response rate is similar to neighboring areas, the concentration and timing of responses differ markedly.
▲ Voters urge a strict probe by the election commission; legal action possible
Local residents have voiced a range of suspicions about the survey’s abnormal speed. Some say the figures could only be achieved if respondents had been assembled or prepped to answer at specific times, and tip-offs alleging irregularities have emerged. Voter groups and local political figures in Gunwi County have called on the relevant election commission to carry out a full investigation. “Errors or distortions in poll data are a serious matter that can cloud voters’ judgment,” one official said. The Daegu City Election Commission is reviewing the poll’s raw data and working to verify the facts.
The incident has revived concerns about the reliability and fairness of polls and highlighted the need to ensure transparency and accuracy in the electoral process. A thorough investigation by the election commission is necessary to establish the truth so voters can make informed decisions.
Daegu–Gyeongbuk — Reporter Lee Jae-geun (news113@viva100.com)
