Islamabad: Pakistan Tahreek-i-Insaf (PTI) is leading among all political parties in its growing popularity at national and provincial levels, claimed its chairman Imran Khan on Twitter citing the polls results of International Republican Institute (IRI).
The latest polls and survey carried out from February 9 to March 8 this year by global research group.
IRI results on the popularity of Pakistan political parties at national level showed that
Pakistan Tahree-i-Insaf (PTI) was leading with 31% votes, Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) (PMLN) is the second leading party with 27% votes and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) popularity remains intact at 16%
In Punjab:
PTI popularity stood at 33%, PMLN retained its popularity at 41%, PPP popularity stood at 9%.
In Sindh:
PPP is leading with 42% in polls, PTI secured second position with 15 %, MQM position at polls reflects its popularity retained at 9%, PMLN stood at 6%
In Khyber Pakhtoonkhawa
PTI remains its top position with 49% its popularity graph as per IRI polls results, ANP maintained its second position with 13% of polls votes, PPP popularity reflected its position at 9%, PMLN stood at 8% in its popularity graph
In Baluchistan
PTI stood at top position with 35%, PMLN grabbed 9 % of the polling reslults, JUI popularity graph stood at 9% in IRI polls, BNP stood at 6 % in the polls.
The survey might be showing a picture of rise and fall of political parties’ popularity in the country but the polls results carried out by global or local institutes are far different from the results of general elections as shown in the past.
The rising popularity of the PTI might be impressive for party itself as leading popular party of the country but the results of the conducted polls can also reflect the active role of PTI digital media activists for manipulating the results in the favor of party.
IRI survey was not released for common public so far by IRI. However, IRI is making available the methodology and the demographics to demonstrate that the poll complies with professional standards in the industry.
Poll work was conducted by the Institute for Public Opinion Research based in Islamabad, Pakistan. Oversight and analysis was provided by Robert Varsalone of Maven Public Affairs.
The population under study is representative of the adult population of Pakistan with sample size was 5,985 of people Age 18 and order
Kish method was used to select respondents 18 years and older within the randomly selected household. The left hand method was used to select every third household in localities selected through area probability sample.
The sample was distributed at the provincial level, rural and urban, in all four provinces of Pakistan (except for the Federally Administered Tribal Areas and Chitral). The sample was then post-weighted to make it proportionate to national representation by province.
Face-to-face interviews were conducted. The interview teams were comprised of both of males and females; the female respondents were interviewed by female interviewers and male respondents by male interviewers.
