Four in 10 Filipinos, or about 40 percent, think that the automation of the polls will result in clean elections with credible results while less than 2 in 10, or about 16 percent, think otherwise, results of the latest Pulse Asia survey revealed. A bigger proportion, or about 43 percent of those surveyed, said they were undecided when asked about the automation’s possible effect on the elections in May 2010.
According to Pulse Asia, big pluralities to small majorities, or 47 percent to 54 percent, of those in Western Visayas and Mindanao, particularly Regions IX, XI, XII, and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, believe that the outcome of next year’s elections will be credible because of the automation in the counting of votes.
Meanwhile, many of the respondents, or from 44 percent to 52 percent, in Metro Manila, Central Visayas, Region X and CARAGA, and Classes A, B, C and D are unsure of the effects of automation on the polls.
The survey further reported that in Balance Luzon (areas outside of Metro Manila) and in Eastern Visayas, nearly the same percentages of respondents are either ambivalent on the matter or believe that the automation of vote counting will make election results credible for the citizenry (40 percent to 49 percent versus 35 percent to 46 percent).
However, a near majority of those in Class E (47 percent) are optimistic that automation will result to cleaner elections and more credible results.
No knowledge
Moreover, the survey further revealed that most Filipinos, or 61 percent, have little or almost no knowledge at all about the automated election system (AES) that will be implemented next year.
“Public awareness as regards the AES is still low with four in ten Filipinos [40 percent] admitting to knowing little about it and about 2 in 10 [21 percent] saying they have almost no or no knowledge about the new system to be used in the May 2010 elections,” Pulse Asia reported.
Only 13 percent said they know about the automated system well while 26 percent say they know enough about it.
Pulse Asia also found out that a majority of Filipinos, or 64 percent, still believe that the country’s public school teachers will perform their duty as members of the Board of Election Inspectors impartially and 65 percent said that the teachers are capable of managing the automated system polls in next year’s elections.
Meanwhile, about 2 in 3, or 65 percent believe that the country’s public school teachers are capable of managing the automated system for the May 2010 elections. Less than 1 in 10 Filipinos, or 7 percent, do not think public school teachers are capable of managing the automated system.
Pulse Asia added that majority of Filipinos, or 67 percent, believe that it is highly likely that the May 2010 polls will be held as scheduled and that a near majority of Filipinos, or 49 percent, think there will be much trouble in the country in case next year’s elections will not be held.
The survey also found out that almost one in two Filipinos, or 49 percent, are inclined to support but not join any protests that might arise in case the May 2010 elections will not push through.
Endorsement issues
The survey also tackled the issue of endorsements on presidential candidates, with majority of the respondents, or 52 percent, thinking that a presidential candidate endorsed by the respondent’s church or religious group would be elected by most Filipinos.
Pulse Asia noted that small to sizeable majorities, or from 58 percent to 79 percent, are surely or probably not supporting a presidential bet endorsed by President Gloria Arroyo, former President Joseph Estrada, television personality Willie Revillame, and boxing icon Manny “PacMan” Pacquiao.
On the case of television personality Kris Aquino, the respondents said whoever is endorsed by her would surely or probably get 45 percent of the support of the Filipino but would surely not be elected by 49 percent of voters. Kris is the younger sister of president bet and Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino 3rd.
The latest Pulse Asia survey was conducted from October 22 to 30, 2009 using face-to-face interviews among 1,800 adults 18 years old and above.
The nationwide survey has a plus or minus two percent error margin, with Metro Manila having a plus or minus 6 percent margin of error, plus or minus 4 percent for the rest of Luzon and plus or minus 4 percent each for Visayas and Mindanao.
BY ROMMEL C. LONTAYAO REPORTER
The Manila Times
Friday, 04 December 2009 00:00
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