Despite the various mobilisation campaigns undertaken by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and political parties, ethnicity, community and language are still the most influencing factors in May 11 elections, according to a study published by Gilani Research Foundation on Thursday. The study shows that about half of Pakistanis (48%) want to vote on the basis of personalities, rather than parties. According to the study carried out by Gallup Pakistan, electorate views were divided on whether to vote for a personality (48%) or a party (51%).
A nationally representative sample of men and women from the four provinces were asked, “In your opinion, should the vote be for the person or the party?” Responding to this, 48% opted for personalities while 51% opted for political party. However, 1% did not give any response.
Results were fairly similar between rural and urban localities, with 49% of rural respondents saying that votes should be cast to personalities, while 46% of urban respondents said the same. However, there were differences in results between men and women, with 51% men responding well to personalities. Meanwhile, 44% women also voted in favour of personalities.
The survey was carried out among a sample of 2,686 men and women in rural and urban areas of all four provinces of the country, during April 08 to April 15. Error margin was estimated to be approximately ± 2-3 percent at 95% confidence level.