ISFED/GORBI Study of Citizen Attitudes and Knowledge on Election Issues Funded by The National...

ISFED/GORBIStudy of Citizen Attitudesand Knowledgeon Election IssuesFunded by The National Endowment for Democracy (NED)

Technical Assistance Provided by The National Democratic institute (NDI)

ISFED/GORBI Poll on Election Issues March 30, 2006

2

Poll methodology

1394 face to face interviews with randomly selected adult respondents in Georgia

Multi-stage, stratified sample design Surveyed between February 18 – 25 and March 8 - 12,

2006 Based on these results, one can say with 95% confidence

that the maximum error attributable to sampling and other random effects is ± 2.6 percent.


3

Major Findings

Respondents said they will participate in elections despite lingering mistrust in the fairness of elections

Citizens say they are committed to participate in elections, as long as they believe their vote matters and it will lead to changes. If not, they say they will not vote.


4

How important is participation in elections for citizens? Young people and those with lower levels of

education, are less likely to believe participation is important

Very important 63.3

Somewhat important 22.0

Not important 8.3

Not important at all 4.9

DK/NA 1.5


5

How likely is that you will vote in local elections which may be held in autumn 2006?

Young people slightly less likely to participate in local government elections

Very likely 34.0

Likely 39.4

Somewhat unlikely 10.4

Will not vote 5.6

DK/NA 10.6


6

If likely, why? (more than one answer provided)

I think my vote matters 56.2

I am afraid that someone else might use my vote 27.4

I hope that good candidates will be running 20.2

Other 48.8

DK/NA 1.2

I do not trust the election administration 28.8

I think my vote will not change anything 38.5

I voted many times, but nothing changed 15.5

Other 49.3

DK/NA 6.3

If not likely, why? (more than on answer provided)


7

Describe your level of trust in the accuracy and fairness of election results in Georgia

Lowest level of trust – 1 18.8

2 14.7

3 37.9

4 16.2

Highest level of trust – 5 10.8

DK/NA 1.5Mean score – 2.85


8

After voting you are sure that no one knows who you voted for?

Young people are less likely to believe their ballot is secret

Strongly Agree 24.3

Agree 44.1

Disagree 17.1

Strongly disagree 2.7

DK/NA 11.7


9

Major Findings

A significant percentage of citizens has misconceptions about the current method of elections for Parliament and local government


10

Who elects the President of Georgia?

Parliament 4.7

Government 6.2

Citizens 84.0

Political Parties 2.1

Non- governmental Organizations 0.4

International Organizations 1.2

Other 0.1

DK/NA 1.3


11

Who elects the Parliament of Georgia?

President 5.0

Government 15.4

Citizens 70.1




Other 0.1

DK/NA 3.8


12

Who elects local self-government (Sakrebulo)?

President 3.8

Parliament 5.0

Government 19.3

Citizens 60.6




DK/NA 7.3


13

Who elects Gamgebeli/Mayors?President 13.2

Parliament 4.0

Government 17.8

Sakrebulos 9.9

Citizens 46.6



Other 0.2

DK/NA 6.0


14

Major Findings

Trust in the election administration in Georgia has declined since 2004

Those who do not trust the election administration say this is because of previous vote fraud and partisan behavior


15

How much do you trust election administration in Georgia?

Young people and people with higher levels of education are less likely to trust the election administration

Strongly trust 8.3

Trust 47.0

Distrust 28.6

Strongly distrust 9.1

DK/NA 7.1


16

If trusted what is the reason?

If don't trust, what is the reason? (more than one answer possible for each question)

It conducts fair count/elections

31.5

It is objective 36.3

It is not corrupted 14.8

It is professional 6.2

It is transparent 17.9

Other 2.3

DK/NA 6.4

It falsified elections in the past

41.2

It is not objective and non-partisan 33.9

It is corrupted 12.1

It is not professional 15.6

It is not transparent 21.3

Other 3.5

DK/NA 4.1


17

OSCE / GORBI Results from 2004

Do you trust Election Administration in Georgia?

Yes 69.0

No 16.0

DK/NA 15.0


18

Major Findings

Respondents believe the participation of political parties in election administration leads to greater fairness and reduces fraud


19

Do you think that participation of political party members in election commissions: (More than one answer possible)

Ensures objectivity and non-partisanship of election officials 24.5

Prevents political influences on election administration 16.9

Raises the level of their professionalism 12.9

Decreases objectivity and non-partisanship 6.4

Increases political influences on election administration 10.5

Lowers the level of their professionalism 2.7

Decreases election fraud 21.4

Increases election fraud 6.7

Has no influence on the election process 7.7

Other 1.4

DK/NA 16.0


20

Do political parties have a right to nominate members to Election Commissions?

CEC

Yes 61.7

No 10.6

DK/NA 27.7

DEC

Yes 58.4

No 10.9

DK/NA 30.7

PEC

Yes 60.5

No 9.9

DK/NA 29.6


21

Who do you think appoints the CEC?

President 18.9

Parliament 18.4

Government 29.4

Positional parties 8.7

Oppositional parties 0.8

All political parties with consensus 7.7

Voters 4.9

Non governmental organizations 0.1

Election commissions 7.5

DK/NA 16.7


22

Who do you think appoints the DEC?President 6.0

Parliament 7.3

Government 28.3




Voters 5.0



Other 0.1

DK/NA 24.2


23

Who do you think appoints the PEC?

President 4.6

Parliament 3.4

Government 25.3




Voters 8.7



Other 0.3

DK/NA 22.8


24

Major Findings

Citizens do not know who is responsible for maintaining voter lists and almost 1/3 of respondents said the quality of voter lists is low


25

How would you evaluate the quality of voter lists in Georgia?

Lowest level of quality 1 13.1

2 16.7

3 43.3

4 16.0

Highest level of quality 5 6.2

DK/NA 4.8


26

Do you plan to register and check your name in the voter list before upcoming local elections?

Yes 47.5

No 37.6

DK/NA 14.9


27

Which body maintains voter lists?

Local government 53.3

Ministry of Justice 9.2

Election administration 46.0

Ministry of Interior 7.5


Local NGOs 4.7

Other 0.1

DK/NA 7.7


28

Major Findings

Respondents have a relatively low level of knowledge about the structure, the authorities and the responsibilities of local government and they do not know who will be elected in up-coming local elections


29

Who will you be electing during local elections in autumn of 2006?

Village Sakrebulo 29.2

Village Gamgebeli 20.6

Rayon Sakrebulo 15.0

Rayon Gamgebeli 12.6

Town Sakrebulo 24.7

Town Gamgebeli 15.5

Regional Sakrebulo 2.3

Regional Gamgebeli 3.5

Other 0.9

DK/NA 22.4


30

Do you understand the new structure of local self-government in Georgia?

Yes 7.0

No 67.8

Partially 15.3

DK/NA 9.9


31

Do you understand the new rights and responsibilities of different branches of local self-government?

Yes 3.6

No 72.0

Partially 14.6

DK/NA 9.8


32

Major Findings

There are significant gaps in citizens’ awareness of basic election procedures designed to promote fair elections and prevent election fraud

Citizens want more information about election procedures, candidates and parties


33

Do you have the right to vote without identification documents in an extraordinary situation?

Yes 15.8

No 72.6

DK/NA 11.6


34

Where should voting take place?

At any place inside the precinct 8.0

By the registration table 3.3

By the ballot box 12.7

Inside the secret booth 77.6

By the table of the commission secretary 3.5

Other 0.1

DK/NA 1.8


35

Do you have right to change your precinct and move your voting right?

Yes 34.1

No 38.4

DK/NA 27.6


36

Can representatives of local government be at the precinct during voting and counting?

Yes 28.8

No 47.6

DK/NA 5.7


37

Can representatives of the police be at the precinct during voting and counting?

Yes 49.8

No 26.5

Only in special cases 13.1

DK/NA 10.7


38

According to current legislation is marking of voters obligatory?

Yes 64.2

No 26.4

DK/NA 9.4


39

Do you think it is possible to register and add yourself in the voter list on Election Day?

Yes 49.3

No 32.3

DK/NA 18.4


40

Which information would you like to receive about the upcoming elections?

(more than one answer accepted)

Detailed and objective information about participants of the elections

36.7

Detailed information about election procedures, voting and election law

22.3

A complete list of blocs, parties and independent candidates

16.3

Complete list of candidates from all parties, a list of their actions and activities

19.3

Other 48.3

DK/NA 14.5


41

Major Findings

Respondents overwhelmingly said election monitoring is necessary to prevent election fraud


42

Do you think domestic election observation is necessary?

Yes 90.4

No 3.3

DK/NA 6.3


43

If yes, why?

(more than one answer possible)

The new election administration does not enjoy public Trust

12.3

Elections were largely falsified in the past 29.3

Elections in Georgia might be falsified again 30.3

Observers put pressure on election officials 5.4

Observers often know more about election legislation than election officials

14.7

I trust election observers more than electionadministration

12.6

Election observers can prevent fraud 37.7

Other 0.6

DK/NA 1.6

ISFED and GORBI Thank you for your attention

ISFED/GORBI Study of Citizen Attitudes and Knowledge on Election Issues Funded by The National...

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