Petition Against Channel 14 Polls Cites Biased Questions and Lack of Transparency

A petition has been filed with the Chairman of the Central Elections Committee, Noam Sohlberg, demanding that Next Data, a polling company, disclose full data on its surveys aired by Channel 14. The petition, submitted by the Democracy for Israel Academy, alleges numerical discrepancies, potentially biased questions, and a lack of transparency in the calculation methods used.

The petitioners highlight two specific surveys conducted by Next Data for Channel 14 on August 27 and September 23, 2026, with reports filed on August 30 and September 29. They argue that the information provided does not meet legal disclosure requirements and prevents public or expert examination of the results' reliability. The petition is supported by expert opinions in statistics, public opinion research, and voter behavior.

A central claim revolves around the wording of questions in a separate Next Data survey sent to a panel on October 5. The petitioners point to consecutive questions asking "What do you like most about Benjamin Netanyahu?" and "What do you like least about Gadi Eisenkot?" They contend this asymmetry may bias respondents. Further questions in the same survey presented negative assertions about Eisenkot, followed by asking respondents whom they would prefer as prime minister if these assertions were true, potentially influencing their choices.

Numerical inconsistencies are also detailed. For the first survey, the report stated 1,717 people were approached, with an initial sample size of 616, and 981 respondents. The petitioners question how the actual respondents exceeded the initial sample size. For the second survey, out of 7,260 approached, 535 responded and 6,613 refused or were unsuitable, leaving 112 unclassified. Discrepancies in reported response rates and the handling of undecided voters are also cited as concerns.

The petitioners express concern that such polls, if not transparently reported, could shape voter behavior and erode public trust in election results. They are requesting Sohlberg to order Next Data to submit revised and complete reports for all surveys conducted since the election period began and to ensure future polls adhere to full disclosure. They also seek an interim order compelling Channel 14 to remove the two disputed surveys until the reporting issues are resolved.