Forty-eight percent of voters who previously supported the Awami League said they may vote for the BNP in the upcoming election.
Meanwhile, 37.4 percent of citizens voting for the first time since 2008 said they prefer Jamaat-e-Islami, according to a survey published by the Communication and Research Foundation (CRF).
The survey also shows that about two-thirds of respondents consider the individual candidate when voting. Of them, 30.3 percent said they focus mainly on the candidate, while 33.2 percent said they weigh both the candidate and the party.
The findings were presented at a press briefing on Wednesday at the Jatiya Press Club in Dhaka, where CRF unveiled its report titled “Uncovering the Public Pulse: A Nationwide Survey.”
According to the survey, voter turnout in the upcoming 13th parliamentary election could reach a record high, potentially surpassing the 84 percent turnout recorded in the 1991 election. However, concerns persist among a significant section of voters.
Around 20 percent of respondents expressed apprehension about whether the national election would be free and fair, citing fears related to security, possible ballot box capture, and overall electoral integrity.
More than 90 percent of respondents said they intend to vote, while about eight percent said they remain undecided or have not planned to participate, the survey showed. The intention to vote did not vary significantly by gender, age, education, or place of residence.
Improving governance emerged as the top priority, with 63.7 percent of voters identifying it as the most important issue. By contrast, 35.9 percent cited the need for a credible election. The findings suggest that the demand for better governance outweighs concerns over electoral procedures, even in a highly populous country like Bangladesh.
