ISLAMABAD: A new survey on the upcoming elections shows PML-N and PTI inneck and neck fight without any clear winner thus portraying a scenario ofa hung parliament, as the majority of the population believes Pakistan isheading in the wrong direction. However, the number of respondents whoexpressed the intention to vote this time has increased from 76% in 2013 to82% in 2018.
If the elections are held today, 32% population has shown the intention tovote for the PML-N, 29% for PTI and 13% for PPP, according to a countrywidesurvey conducted by the Institute of Public Opinion Research (IPOR) incollaboration with an American firm, Global Strategic Partners. The surveywas carried out between June 13-July 04 of 3,735 respondents from allacross Pakistan. Around 72% responded.
There is a consensus among the pollsters in Pakistan that 35% vote is aminimum threshold to determine which party takes a lead in countrywideelections and right now there is none. However, the PTI has gainedpopularity from 27% in November 2017 to 29% in July 2018 whereas the PML-Nhas lost from 37% to 32% in the corresponding period and the PPP’s positionhas remained the same (13%).
Interestingly, Shahbaz Sharif has scored the highest approval among sixpolitical figures surveyed. Imran Khan, Nawaz Sharif, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi,Maryam Nawaz and Bilawal Bhutto follow him in terms of popularity ranking.Development work and performance are key reasons of Shahbaz’s popularitywhereas Imran has endeared the public through his slogan of change andhonesty.
Three major issues people tended to hear, watch or read the most about thePML-N are as a corrupt party, its development work and Panama scandalrespectively whereas PTI’s fight against corruption, Imran Khan’s marriagewith Bushra and Reham Khan’s upcoming book are the issues that attractedthe most of public attention. Nawaz Sharif’s slogan “vote ko izzat do” andhis attribution to “khalai makhlooq” as a reason of his removal received asplit verdict in the survey.
Three most important issues people face are unemployment, loadshedding andcorruption, though respondents largely expressed their satisfaction overthe performance of federal and provincial governments of Punjab and KP.