Quote Originally Posted by Dayuhan View Post
Polling among a citizenry that is completely unaccustomed to the practices and purposes of polling can be dangerously deceptive.
This is a key point, and I suspect is one of the largest determinants of the validity and reliability of polling data in conflict-affected countries.

In Afghanistan, I would have serious doubts as to how much weight should be placed on polls. In Iraq, by contrast, polling has become more and more common, is widely reported in the local and regional media, and as a consquence has become increasingly reliable.

In the Palestinian territories, polling takes place (by one firm/NGO or another) every few weeks, is considered a routine part of politics, and has proven to be quite accurate when done well (judging from voter behaviour in elections).