3 of 4 Pinoys satisfied with conduct of first auto polls

MANILA, Philippines – The latest survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) showed that three out of four Filipino adults expressed satisfaction over the conduct of the first nationwide automated elections last May 10.

The Second Quarter 2010 Social Weather survey, conducted from June 25 to 28, found that 75 percent of adults were satisfied while 15 percent were not satisfied with the general conduct of the May polls.

The survey also showed that a majority of Filipinos were satisfied with how the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and other institutions have handled various aspects of the polls.

“This year’s public satisfaction with the conduct of the May 2010 elections is a marked improvement compared to the previous two elections,” the SWS said.

In 2004, 53 percent were satisfied and 35 percent were dissatisfied with the conduct of the May 2004 elections. In 2007, some 51 percent were satisfied and 32 percent dissatisfied with the conduct of the May 2007 elections.

Meanwhile, SWS said a complementary survey of 480 poll workers nationwide who served in the May 2010 elections showed that poll workers are much more satisfied with the conduct of the May 10 elections compared to the general public.

The survey showed that poll workers are much more satisfied with the conduct of the May 2010 elections compared to the general public (90 percent versus seven percent).

In 2007, the poll workers were also more satisfied than the general public with the conduct of the May 2007 elections, with 78 percent poll workers satisfied compared to 51 percent among adults in general.

Compared with the May 2007 elections, SWS said more Filipinos now express satisfaction with the Comelec in handling various aspects in the May 2010 elections.

In all the aspects tested in the survey, satisfaction with the poll body has been consistently higher among poll workers than the general public, the survey institution said.

Compared to June 2007, satisfaction with the performance of the Comelec in ensuring peace and order rose by 14 points among the general public, from 60 percent to 74 percent.

It rose by eight points among poll workers, from 87 percent to 95 percent.

Satisfaction with the Comelec on the system of voter registration rose by 15 points among the general public, from 57 percent to 72 percent.

It rose by eight points among poll workers, from 74 percent to 82 percent.

On the information given to voters about registration and voting, satisfaction with the Comelec among the general public rose by 13 points, from 59 percent to 72 percent. It rose by seven points among poll workers, from 74 percent to 81 percent.

Satisfaction with the Comelec on counting of votes in the precinct level rose by 14 points among the general public, from 54 percent to 68 percent.

It rose by six points among poll workers, from 91 percent to 97 percent.

Satisfaction with the Comelec on the consolidation of vote counts at the city/municipal and provincial level rose by 20 points among the general public, from 48 percent to 68 percent.

Among the poll workers, it rose by 17 points, from 75 percent to 92 percent compared to June 2007.

The June 2010 survey also found higher public satisfaction with the performance of selected institutions during the May 2010 elections, compared to the May 2007 elections.

Of the seven institutions tested in the survey, public satisfaction is highest for teachers serving in the Board of Election Inspectors in the precincts on ensuring clean and orderly voting, with 86 percent satisfied in June 2010, 12 points up from 74 percent in June 2007.

On maintaining peace and order on election day, 84 percent are satisfied with the Philippine National Police and 82 percent are satisfied with the Armed Forces of the Philippines. –Helen Flores (The Philippine Star)