Party policies are more important than the qualities of individual candidates for people choosing whom to vote for in the March 24 election, according to the result of an opinion survey by the National Institute of Development Administration, or Nida Poll.
The poll was conducted on Feb 20-21 on 1,253 people aged 18 and over of various occupations and levels of education across the country to compile their opinions on party policies and qualities of individual candidates.
Asked to choose between party policies and qualities of individual candidates as the most important factor when they cast their vote on March 24, 36.39% of respondents chose party policies; 32.64% said party policies and qualities of candidates are equally important; and 30.97% said they attach more importance to the qualities of individual candidates.
Asked what will sway their decision to pick a party, 41.97% mentioned its policies; 38.50% its past performance; 7.63% its standpoints; 6.47% its leader; 3.01% its candidates; 1.50% its participation in past governments; and 0.92% its prime ministerial candidates.
Asked which characteristics are most important in a candidate, 23.71% cited their past performance; 22.46% their familiarity with the people; 20.45% their knowledge and ability; 10.66% a clean background record; 9.16% their youth; 5.65% their past political experience (such as being former MPs, senators and local politicians); 3.14% their belonging to a favoured political party; 1.38% their local roots; and 0.13% their connections to well-known politicians or individuals.
