Public opinion polling seeks to identify prevailing opinions or beliefs among large segments of the public – whether citizens or expatriates – toward a certain social, cultural, economic or political issue of a local, national, regional or international nature. Polls generally aim to achieve a number of targets, including the following:

• They provide the necessary information to formulate policies for adoption in various sectors. They also provide decision-makers with a picture of social, economic, political, cultural and educational conditions, before certain policies are applied. Polls also contribute to assessing the efficacy of such policies, and to what extent they accomplish their objectives following their implementation; hence, polls are considered a tool for community development.

• Polls are also seen as a means to develop and enhance good governance, first by allowing political leaders and decision-makers to become better informed, providing them with a more detailed understanding of the needs and aspirations of the public, thereby increasing confidence between the public and both their leaders and institutions, and contributing to maintaining political stability in the community. Second, polls provide decision-makers, researchers, or those interested in community issues (such as the media and others seeking objective information) with data on social topics and phenomena, such as unemployment, health care, education, etc., helping them to identify problems, set priorities, and ensure better management of the processes of economic and social development.