90% of Filipinos Interested in 2010 Elections : Pulse Asia

The level of public interest in the May 2010 elections is very high with most Filipinos saying they are interested in the coming electoral exercise (90%) and are likely to vote (87%).

Across geographic areas and socio-economic classes, overwhelming majorities express interest in the May 2010 elections (83% to 94%) and report that they are likely to vote (84% to 92%). In contrast, one out of every ten Filipinos (10%) is still undecided about voting in the May 2010 elections. Likewise, the same percentage (10%) is either disinterested or unable to say whether or not he is interested in the elections (See Table 1).

A small majority of Filipinos (59%) believes that it is highly likely that the May 2010 elections will be held as scheduled while a near majority (47%) says that there will be a lot of trouble in case the elections are not held.

Small to sizeable majorities across geographic areas and socio-economic classes (53% to 67%) say there is a big possibility that the May 2010 elections will push through. In addition, near to small majorities (47% to 57%) in Metro Manila, the rest of Luzon, the Visayas, and Classes ABC and D are of the opinion that much trouble will result from the cancellation or postponement of the elections. In Mindanao, 38% either share this view or express a contrary opinion while in Class E, 39% believe that trouble will ensue if the elections are not held as scheduled while 36% are ambivalent on the issue (See Table 1).

Meanwhile, 30% of Filipinos cannot say whether there is a big or small possibility that the May 2010 elections will not push through while 12% think there is a small or no possibility at all that this scenario will materialize. Indecision on this matter is more pronounced in the rest of Luzon, the Visayas, Mindanao, and Classes D and E (29% to 34%) relative to Metro Manila and Class ABC (18% to 21%). The percentages of those who think there is a small possibility of trouble occurring range from 8% in Mindanao to 15% in Metro Manila. On the other hand, almost the same percentages of Filipinos either do not think trouble will occur if the May 2010 elections are not held or are ambivalent on the matter (24% versus 29%). Indecision levels range from 21% in Metro Manila to 36% in Class E while levels of disagreement vary from 20% in the rest of Luzon to 38% in Mindanao (See Table 1).



Based on a multistage probability sample of 1,200 representative adults 18 years old and above, Pulse Asia’s nationwide survey has a +/- 3% error margin at the 95% confidence level. Subnational estimates for each of the geographic areas covered in the survey (i.e., Metro Manila, the rest of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao) have a +/- 6% error margin, also at 95% confidence level. Face-to-face field interviews for this project were conducted from October 14 to 27, 2008.

Source: Pulse Asia