Sheikh Hasina’s popularity marks significant rise: IRI survey

The popularity of prime minister Sheikh Hasina had marked a significant rise as around 66 per cent of people in the country had lent out their support for the Bangladesh premier while the Awami Leagueled government rode on at 64 per cent public support, said a survey conducted by the IRI.
The Washington-based International Republican Institute conducted the survey between April 10 and May 21, 2018. BSS received a copy of the survey in Dhaka on Monday.
The IRI collected data using a multi-stage stratified probability sample through in-person, in-home interviews. The sample was stratified by division, by district and by urban and rural locations.
The majority of people said the country was marching ahead in the right direction under the leadership of prime minister Sheikh Hasina while a sense of high optimism was vindicated over the current economic situation, said IRI, a non-profit and nonpartisan organisation committed to advancing freedom and democracy worldwide.
The IRI worked in Asia, Europe, Africa, Eurasia, Latin America and the Caribbean, Middle East and North Africa.
The 33-page survey titled ‘National Survey of Bangladesh Public Opinion’ said that a staggering 62 per cent people believed the country was moving in the right direction and as many as 69 per cent people were satisfied with the current state of the economy.
On a similar note, overwhelming support was found in the government’s effort to ensure public security, given that around 68 per cent people were satisfied with the current security situation and 57 per cent people believed the security situation would improve in the coming days, said the survey.
Regarding provision of basic services, the government enjoyed an upbeat mood as 67 per cent people were happy with healthcare services, 64 per cent with power supply and 61 per cent with the development of roads, highways and bridges.
On the current state of democracy, around 51 per cent people expressed satisfaction with the current state of democracy and 51 per cent of the population vindicated their trust on the works of the parliament.
In addition, around 81 per cent people said they would cast their votes in the upcoming election while 51 per cent gave an affirmative nod to the current state of democracy in the country.
The sample consisted of 5,000 respondents, aged 18 and older, and was representative of the votingage adults nationally.
An earlier survey conducted by International Republican Institute illustrated a similar tenor of public opinion on the country’s progress.
Released in January 2016, the poll divulged 64 per cent of the respondents thought the country was heading in the right direction.
Another survey, conducted and released in 2015 by the British Council, ActionAid Bangladesh and the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh, showed 75 per cent of Bangladeshi youths saw the country as a more prosperous nation in the next 15 years and 60 per cent thought the country was heading in the right direction.
Preference of the survey participants revealed that Sheikh Hasina stood out as the most popular and trusted national leader in the country. 72.3 per cent respondents had a ‘good’ opinion about Sheikh Hasina’s capacity to run the country. In contrast, only 26.6 per cent respondents had a good opinion about Khaleda Zia running the country.
According to another 2015 IRI survey, around 67 per cent respondents said that Sheikh Hasina was the prime minister to be relied upon.

News Courtesy: www,newagebd.net