Majority of Pakistanis View Recent Elections as Transparent: Survey

Islamabad: A recent survey conducted by IPSOS, a renowned international research firm, has shed light on public perceptions regarding the transparency of Pakistan’s general election held on February 9.

According to the survey, which interviewed over 3,000 individuals nationwide, 54% of Pakistanis believe that the elections were overall transparent, providing insights into the public sentiment surrounding the electoral process.

Despite allegations raised by some parties, particularly Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), regarding deprivation of nearly 80 seats in the National Assembly, the research indicates that a majority of Pakistanis perceive the elections as transparent.

However, concerns about electoral malpractice persist, with 39% of respondents expressing belief in malpractice during the February 8 elections.

Notably, the impact of alleged malpractice was most pronounced in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where PTI secured a majority. In this province, 73% of respondents felt that the elections were not conducted fairly.

The survey also revealed that three out of five Pakistanis consider the polling procedures fair and transparent, with rural residents more likely to view the process positively.

Regarding the suspension of mobile phone services during the elections, approximately 33% of respondents believed it was a prudent decision, while 29% deemed it erroneous, with the rest maintaining a neutral stance.

Read more: ECP schedules Presidential Election on March 9

Interestingly, opinions on the shutdown of mobile phone services varied across regions, with residents of Balochistan expressing more favorable views compared to those in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa who expressed dissatisfaction.

The IPSOS survey provides valuable insights into public perceptions of the recent elections and highlights the importance of transparency in the electoral process.