Voters across the country are placing greater importance on governance, accountability, and economic matters than on the technical conduct of election, according to a survey released by Communication and Research Foundation (CRF).
The findings were presented at a press briefing on Wednesday at Jatiya Press Club, where CRF unveiled its report titled “Uncovering the public pulse: a nationwide survey.”
The survey, conducted in two phases between 20 November and 31 December last year covered 11,036 voters using a stratified random sampling method.
According to the survey findings, 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 over whether the 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 demand for better governance outweighs concerns over electoral procedures, even in a highly populous country like Bangladesh.
Security concerns ranked higher than administrative or technical management of the polls, indicating that voters prioritise a safe voting environment above all else. However, the level of concern varied across party lines.
In terms of political information, television and social media emerged as the most influential sources, with voters increasingly relying on a mix of platforms rather than a single medium.
Security concerns ranked above administrative or technical management of the polls, the report asserted, indicating that voters want a safe voting environment before anything else. However, the level of concern varied across party lines.
The survey points to potential shifts in political allegiance. Among voters who previously supported the Awami League, 48 percent said they may vote for the BNP in the election, while the remaining 52 percent said they are still undecided.
Candidate choice also remains decisive. About two-thirds of respondents said they consider the individual candidate when voting; 30.3 percent said they focus mainly on the candidate, while 33.2 percent said they weigh both the candidate and the party.
The data suggest that religion is no longer a dominant electoral issue. Only 35.9 percent of respondents identified religion as an important factor in deciding their vote. In contrast, corruption has emerged as the most pressing concern, with 67.3 percent of voters ranking it as a key issue.
CRF officials said the survey aims to inform public debate ahead of the national election by highlighting voters’ expectations, concerns and information habits.
