A majority of people say they want to go to the polls now so that the country can return to democratic rule and win confidence and recognition from the world community, according to the result of an opinion survey by National Institute of Development Administration, or Nida Poll.
The survey was conducted on 1,251 people of various levels of education and occupations throughout the country on Sept 27-29 to compile their opinions on their expectations of the next general election.
Asked whether they think the government would be able to hold an election by November 2018, a majority, 55%, of the respondents said "yes"; 33.41% said "no"; and 11.59% were uncertain.
A majority, 71.30%, of the respondents said it would be acceptable to them if the election was postponed further, reasoning that they want to see the country undergo reforms first to ensure that necessary laws and regulations are well in place. Only 23.74% said that the delay would not be acceptable to them because they want to see the return of democracy and power to the people; while 4.96% were uncertain.
Asked whether they want to go to the polls now, 68.19% said they do, reasoning that they want the country to win recognition and confidence from the world community, after having long been under military rule; 24.38% said they do not want to see an election now since the country's situation has not returned to normal; and 7.43% were not certain.
