Poll survey indicates narrow lead for ruling Pak party

While 23 per cent of those in the 18-to-35 age group said they would vote for the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf, about 19 per cent of those aged between 36 and 70 claimed the same.

Thirty-three per cent of those aged 36-to-50 supported the PPP, while 46 per cent of those over 70 preferred the PML-N.

From a given list, respondents identified poverty, corruption, the energy crisis, illiteracy and extremism as the top five issues that Pakistan faces today.

No issue received more than 17 per cent of the vote, indicating an electorate with varying priorities.

Twenty-seven per cent of respondents – higher than for any other party ¿ said the PPP would be most effective in addressing the identified issues, even though 59 per cent rated the PPP government's performance as "poor" or "very poor".

Approximately 21 per cent of respondents admitted to never having voted before.

There is apparently a negative correlation between inclination to vote and income level – 38 per cent of those with monthly family incomes above Rs 2,50,000 had never voted, compared to 13 per cent of those earning less than Rs 3,600,

the lowest income bracket.

Contrary to the perception that more education might equal greater political participation, 87 per cent of those with no education claimed to have voted in three or more elections while only 38 per cent of those with at least a bachelor's degree had done so.

Ninety-four per cent of respondents said they were registered to vote in the upcoming polls.

According to Abid Suleri, executive director of SDPI, the outcome of the elections could unfold in a number of ways – the PPP could form an electoral alliance with its current allies, including the ANP, MQM and PML-Q or a grand anti-PPP alliance, comprising the PML-N, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam and Jamaat-e-Islami but not Imran Khan's party could be formed.

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