As the February 8 general elections approach in Pakistan, a recent survey conducted on Dawn.com sheds light on the sentiments of nearly 6,000 readers regarding their voting intentions, trust in the electoral process, and perceptions of political parties. Despite skepticism about the electoral system, a majority expressed their readiness to cast their votes. Let’s delve into the key findings and insights revealed by the survey.
Voter Intentions:
Surprisingly, 64.96% of respondents expressed their intent to participate in the upcoming elections, despite a prevailing lack of trust in the electoral process. Notably, over one-third (35.04%) remains disinterested, with the primary reason being the belief that their vote won’t make a difference (62.69%). This underscores a widespread disillusionment with the impact of individual votes.
Nota Option Advocacy:
A compelling 64% of participants advocated for the inclusion of a “None of the Above” (Nota) option on the ballot. This choice garnered consistent support across age groups, genders, and geographical locations, emphasizing the desire for a platform to express dissatisfaction with the available political choices.
Political Party Preferences:
The survey portrayed a stark lack of confidence in the previous PDM-led government, with a staggering 76.34% labeling its performance as ‘very poor.’ In contrast, the PTI, led by Imran Khan, emerged as the preferred choice for 67.33% of respondents, demonstrating a significant shift in political preferences. The PML-N secured only 16.38% support, and the PPP received minimal backing at 9.5%.
Evaluation of PTI’s Tenure:
Opinions on the PTI government’s tenure from 2018 to 2022 were diverse. While 34.79% considered it successful, the majority leaned towards ambivalence, indicating mixed feelings about the government’s performance. The survey revealed slight variations in sentiment across age groups, genders, and geographic locations.
Social Media’s Political Impact:
Twitter emerged as the most popular platform for political engagement, indicating its significance in political discourse. Facebook and YouTube also played pivotal roles in disseminating political information. Instagram and TikTok gained relevance, especially among younger demographics, highlighting the evolving landscape of political communication.
Doubts on Past Elections:
A significant 46.39% of respondents expressed skepticism, believing that none of the past elections were successfully conducted. The 2018 election received the highest approval (34.79%), suggesting a perceived fairness in that particular electoral process.
Election Commission and Media Trust:
Worryingly, an overwhelming 89.11% doubted the Election Commission’s efforts in ensuring a free and fair election. Trust in media for unbiased election coverage appeared low, with 45.83% expressing complete distrust.
Key Concerns:
Economic growth and employment emerged as the top concerns for 46.35% of respondents, followed by corruption (21.31%), human rights (15.27%), education (7.29%), and security (3.41%). These concerns reflect the pressing issues that voters believe should be prioritized by political leaders.
Conclusion:
As Pakistan braces for the upcoming general elections, the survey results provide valuable insights into the electorate’s mindset. The prevailing distrust in the electoral process, coupled with shifting political preferences, underscores the need for transparency and accountability in the democratic system. Economic concerns and a desire for a more robust political landscape are evident, shaping the expectations of voters as they prepare to cast their ballots on February 8.
