What this survey says, whether Elena Carnevali for the centre-left, Andrea Pezzotta for the centre-right or Vittorio Apicella for the 5 Star Movement is in the lead in the race for Palafrizzoni, is not known. One thing is certain, however: Ipsos is not the company involved in the research in question and it is the well-known institute itself that denies this. Indeed, after some reports received from citizens regarding phone calls from self-styled “Ipsos representatives” interested in their voting orientation, he categorically denied any involvement in research activities currently underway in Bergamo, including those of a political nature.
The mystery of the survey
But then who is behind those phone calls? Among the colors of the electoral campaign, the yellow of this survey also appears, on which Ipsos seems to want to go to the end and shed full light, even through legal means, to protect its image.
The reports, it was said, come from some citizens. One of them is the municipal councilor for Innovation, Giacomo Angeloniwho entrusted his complaint to a long post on social media published Thursday 16 May: «I want to tell you about something a little strange that happened to me last night – he writes -. Around 8.30pm the phone rings, the home phone, not the cell phone. I reply: “Good evening, I’m calling on behalf of Ipsos, can I ask you some questions about the administrative elections of the Municipality of Bergamo which will be held on 8 and 9 June?”. “Okay, tell me,” I reply. Do you confirm her address on street … at number xx? “No, now I live in this other street.” Meanwhile Angeloni wonders to himself: “But how do these people know where I lived before moving to the new address?”. Meanwhile, the phone call continues and the person in charge asks Angeloni: «Do you confirm your vote in favor of the center-left that you declared in a previous survey carried out in 2019, again relating to the municipal administrations of the city of Bergamo?». Angeloni confirms. The person in charge insists: «In the next administrative elections will you vote for the center-left candidate Elena Carnevali or the center-right candidate Andrea Pezzotta?». Angeloni replies Carnevali. “We thank you for your cooperation.” Click.
However, some elements make the councilor suspicious: «It’s true that in 2019 I responded to a much longer survey on the city’s administration – he writes on social media – I remember it precisely. I’m not sure if it was Ipsos, but it could be. Then I said to myself: but how do these people have my data and my answers from 5 years ago? Shouldn’t they have a release to do this? Isn’t it forbidden for research companies to hold data without the owner’s knowledge?”. The councilor went all the way: «This morning (Thursday 16 May, ed.) I called Ipsos and asked them if they were conducting a survey in Bergamo on the next municipal elections. Answer: “No, categorically, we are not conducting any polls.” Really strange, don’t you think?” is Angeloni’s rhetorical question to his followers. And in fact some of them respond: “I also received a similar phone call.” The councilor also called his telephone company to ask if it was possible to trace the number of the caller, who however appeared as “anonymous”. Nothing, impossible, replies the manager.
Also contacted by L’Eco, the Ipsos company reiterated its denial regarding ongoing activities in Bergamo, also informing that they have given a mandate to their lawyers to try to clarify and protect their image.
