A pre-election survey has been brought to the attention of Victoria's election watchdog over claims it may circumvent rules and mislead voters.
Independent candidate for Nepean, Charelle Ainslie, reported the survey to the Victorian Electoral Commission on September 21 after her father received a letter with a link to it.
"The sophistication of the material/set up indicates this maybe (sic) a deliberate attempt to circumvent rules," she said.
Ms Ainslie claims the survey did not contain any authorisation and was preceded by an embedded video clip promoting the Labor government and attacking Victorian Liberal leader Matthew Guy.
"Dan Andrews and Labor are doing what matters," a narrator of the video says.
"Matthew Guy is the Liberals 'cuts guy'. His plans for cuts were rejected in a landslide at the last election."
The survey then asked a series of questions, including voters' preference between the major parties and thoughts on the Andrews government, before offering a $5 gift card to participants.
The Victorian coalition has accused Labor of being behind the survey.
"Labor must come clean and explain their involvement in the production and distribution of this misleading and likely illegal survey," opposition spokeswoman for government scrutiny Louise Staley said.
Ms Ainslie said the VEC responded this week to say it had referred the survey to its electoral integrity and regulation team.
A VEC spokeswoman declined to confirm, saying it does not discuss individual complaints.
"In general, and as expected, the VEC is seeing an increase in complaints as the election approaches," she said.
"Generally speaking, progress updates or detailed responses will not be provided for complaints as this can prejudice future investigations and potential legal proceedings."
Victorian Labor has been contacted for comment.
