Innovation Consulting has reported a notable surge in public support for the Bangladesh Nationalist Party as the country approaches the 13th parliamentary election, according to the third round of its 'People's Election Pulse Survey (PEPS)'.
The survey indicates that more than 47 percent of respondents now consider the possibility of BNP chairman Tarique Rahman becoming the next Prime Minister. "Following Tarique Rahman's return to the country and the passing of Khaleda Zia, a significant number of previously undecided voters have leaned towards BNP," the report states.
The survey, conducted in collaboration with citizen platforms BRAIN and Voice for Reform, was presented by Innovation Consulting's Managing Director Rubaiyat Sarwar at a program at the BDBL building in Karwan Bazar on Friday. Sarwar said the findings were based on 5,147 interviews conducted between January 16 and 27 across rural and urban areas of all 64 districts. Citizens were asked about six topics, including voter turnout, perception of law and order, opinions on the referendum, party preference, and assessment of fair elections.
According to the PEPS report, 47.6 per cent of respondents view Tarique Rahman as the likely future Prime Minister, while 22.5 per cent named Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman. Nahid Islam was mentioned by 2.7 per cent, and 22.2 per cent of respondents said they could not predict who would hold the office. Regarding local electoral prospects, 52.9 per cent believe a BNP candidate would win if elections were held tomorrow, while 23.8 per cent expressed uncertainty. Compared with the second round of PEPS, support for BNP as a potential winner has risen by 7.5 per cent, while Jamaat's expected support has grown by 1.1 per cent.
The survey highlights shifting voter loyalties amid the current political landscape. The Awami League, ousted in the July coup and barred from contesting the February 12 election with its registration suspended, has seen a significant portion of its supporters moving towards BNP.
The report notes, "32.9 per cent of former Awami League voters expressed the possibility of voting for BNP, 13.2 per cent said they would vote for Jamaat, and 41.3 per cent remain undecided."
