Poll survey indicates narrow lead for ruling Pak party

Pakistani voters appear divided on who to vote for in the upcoming general election, with the ruling Pakistan People's Party having a very slender lead over other key parties, according to a new survey.

Twenty-nine per cent of the people surveyed said they would vote for the PPP, 25 per cent for the main opposition PML-N and 20 per cent for Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf.

Respondents were asked who they had voted for most frequently in the past and voting histories indicated the PML-N's vote bank had remained stable while the PPP's appeared to have significantly declined.

The Political Barometer survey, conducted by Herald magazine and Sustainable Development Policy Institute, an Islamabad-based think tank, covered 1,283 respondents in 54 districts across Pakistan.

In line with expectations, 55 per cent of respondents who identified themselves as Sindhis said they would vote for the PPP in the general election expected to be held by May.

Forty-four per cent of Hindko speakers intend to vote for the PML-N.

Forty-four per cent of Hindko speakers also support Imran Khan's party, suggesting a close contest between the two parties within that demographic.

Thirty-four per cent of Pashtuns are in favour of Khan's party while only 11 per cent said they would vote for the Awami National Party, which currently rules the northwestern Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province.

In keeping with the PPP's pro-poor image, approximately a third of those with a monthly family income of up to Rs 30,000 plan to vote for the party.

Among higher income brackets, support for the PPP dropped to 11 per cent.

A majority of those earning over Rs 2,50,000 said they intend to vote for the Muttahida Qaumi Movement or the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (33 per cent each).

Dispelling the impression that support for Imran Khan's party is concentrated in younger generations, the survey indicated that the party derives support from all ages.

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