A number of civil society members yesterday found the results of Dhaka Tribune opinion polls consistent with public views.
They said the ruling alliance and polls aspirants should take note of results of such surveys and if they take them into considerations that would help democracy march ahead.
They expressed their observations while commenting on the survey titled Dhaka Tribune National Opinion Survey conducted between December 14 and 22 last year over mobile phones.
The survey revealed that more than three-quarters of the people in Bangladesh think that the January 5 general elections without the main opposition BNP’s participation will not be acceptable.
According to the survey, 77% people think an election without BNP is not acceptable while around 71% of the respondents say Bangladesh is heading towards a wrong direction.
And 74% respondents are either satisfied or highly satisfied with the trial of the war criminals. 47% respondents said they think the current government is sufficient for holding a free and fair election while 38% was against it.
Transparency International Bangladesh Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said conducting such surveys is a standard practice.
“What I have heard from the survey is nothing unusual. 77% percent people expressed that election without BNP is not acceptable which is a natural view and I think the survey has expressed the general public perception,” he said.
Shushashoner Jonnya Nagorik Secretary Badiul Alam Majumdar found the survey interesting.
“Some results are consistent with my sense of public opinion. Political parties should take note of it,” he said.
However, Badiul found it is contradictory in the survey that 47% people think the current government is sufficient for holding a free and fair election.
In other surveys 70%-90% people were against such view, he observed.
Syed Abul Moksud said the result reflects more or less generalised views of public.
“From the general perspective, an election would not be acceptable if other parties do not participate. The results are genuine concern of people,” he said.
He also said people are independent of political affiliation and the results are their expressions.
“The survey has reflected the abnormal situation going on in the country. But I think, the result needs to be thoroughly scrutinised or examined by the political parties. If ruling parties and power aspirants consider such results they could take some positive steps,” Moksud observed.