World Bank sorry for presidential popularity questions

The World Bank has apologised for Maldivians being asked “unintended” political questions in a financial survey about how good their president is.

In a statement issued Tuesday the global institution said survey staff had been posing questions “beyond the scope” of a data gathering exercise about how people save, borrow, make payments and manage risks in the Maldives.

The political questions, it said, were part of a separate poll being conducted by Gallup, which was not supported by the World Bank. “These may have included questions which are political in nature. The World Bank has raised the issue with the concerned agencies and they have agreed to drop these questions as part of this exercise.

“The World Bank regrets any inconvenience/discomfort that these unintended questions may have posed.”