Kantar Lanka Disowns 'Fake News' Polls

Sri Lankan subsidiary Kantar Lanka has issued a statement countering stories on social media, which purported to share the results of polls for the country's forthcoming presidential election. The firm said it had conducted 'no election polls or analysis of any candidate and/or any political party'.

Sri Lankan politics have been divided and turbulent, both before and after the horrific bomb attacks that dominated international headlines in April. The front-runner in the election is former army officer Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the candidate for the Podujana Peramuna party and brother of former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa; while his main opponent is Sajith Premadasa, the candidate of the ruling United National party (UNP). Around 80% of the 16 million eligible voters are projected to turn out this Saturday.

According to newspaper www.dailymirror.lk , the Kantar group company's CEP Himalee Madurasinghe said: 'It has come to our attention that there are some fake news reports circulating on social media attributing the prediction of results on the upcoming presidential election, which are purported to be made by our company. We wish to inform that we have not conducted any election polls or analysis of any candidate and/or any political party. Any such news items which are attributed to Kantar/LMRB are not factually correct and we do not hold any responsibility for its accuracy'.

Web site: www.kantar.com .