Fact Check: Fake Opinion Poll Goes Viral Ahead of Haryana Assembly Polls

Ahead of the Haryana Assembly elections, a fake opinion poll graphic circulated on social media, showing altered seat predictions for BJP, Congress, and AAP. PTI Fact Check found that Republic TV-Matrix did not release such a poll, and the figures were manipulated from an ETV Bharat report. The viral graphic is confirmed to be edited.

In the run-up to the Haryana Assembly elections, a social media user disseminated a fraudulent opinion poll graphic. The manipulated image falsely claimed that BJP would secure 26-36 seats, Congress around 40, and AAP approximately 20 in the 90-member state assembly.

Upon investigation, PTI Fact Check determined that Republic TV-Matrix had not released any such poll. The graphic figures were altered from an ETV Bharat report dated June 1, 2024, originally used for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections' exit polls. The viral graphic was edited and is baseless.

The misleading post, viewed over a thousand times, included a caption asserting the inevitability of power change. A thorough examination of Republic TV's and Matrix News Communications' social media accounts yielded no similar poll graphics. PTI Fact Check's complete report is available online for further verification.

(With inputs from agencies.)