Survey findings: How Pakistan intends to vote

Over 5,000 readers completed an election survey by The Express Tribune


News Desk July 23, 2018
Over 5,000 readers completed an election survey by The Express Tribune. PHOTO: AFP

KARACHI: As the nation braces for a second democratic transition of power, The Express Tribune reached readers to complete a survey on factors determining who they elect.

Some interesting trends were noted with over 5,200 individuals participating in the exercise.

The greatest number of respondents, 58.2%, were based in the Punjab. Sindh followed at 29.06%. Around 11% hailed from Khyber-Paktunkhwa (K-P). Balochistan residents constituted the remainder.



42.66% of the respondents were aged between 26-35.



A whopping 94.10% of respondents said they would vote. Many of those not voting were ineligible due to being expats. Other reasons presented included "not satisfied with the performance of any party", "I am Ahmadi" and “need to rectify fundamental flaws in electoral process. Voting is useless.”



Most respondents said they would vote for the Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) National Assembly candidates at 70.85%. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) clinched second place at 16.20%. Around 2% said they would vote for the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA).



Similarly, 66.37% respondents saying they would vote for PTI provincial assembly candidates. The PML-N followed at 15.81%. Over 2% said they would vote for the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA).



The 11.34% who did not vote in the last general elections said they would not be returning to polling stations this time around either.

Nearly 53% said their vote was influenced by past performance of political party/candidate. 31.14% said they voted for candidates after perusing party manifestos. Party loyalty primarily determined voting behaviour for 12%.‘Other’ factors influencing voting patterns included “commitment to democracy”, political parties that “take a stand for  minorities”, and “character of candidates.”



Respondents in the 18-25 age bracket, surprisingly, prized party loyalty over and above everything else at 49.30%.



76.92% said their families tended to vote for the same party/candidate.



 

Disclaimer: Online surveys are non-scientific.

COMMENTS (3)

cautious | 5 years ago | Reply Online polls tend to be worthless - anyone seriously believe that PTI is going to win with a 70 percent landslide?
Raghu | 5 years ago | Reply @ABC: You said it all. Positive time for Pakistan ahead. In Sha Allah.
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