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 who expressed the intention to vote thistime has increased from 76% in 2013 to 82% 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 survey was carried out between June 13-July 04 of 3,735 respondentsfrom all across 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 gained popularity from 27% in November 2017 to 29% inJuly 2018 whereas the PML-N has lost from 37% to 32% in the correspondingperiod and the PPP’s position has 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” and his attribution to “khalaimakhlooq” as a reason of his removal received a split verdict in the survey.