MOST of the 533 people who took part in a 24-online poll indicated they would vote for the party instead of the candidate in the next general election.

The Malaysian Insight conducted the poll, which ended this evening, asking readers whether they will cast their votes along party lines or consider the individual candidates in their respective constituencies.

On Twitter, 63% (239) of 379 social media users said they would go for the party, regardless of the candidates fielded.

Meanwhile on Facebook, 69% (106) of the 154 people who answered had the same opinion.

Combined, it meant 65% (345 people) will go for the political parties of their choice, and only 35% (188) will consider the candidates before making their decision.

Only a few shared their thoughts through comments, such as Facebook user Baharuddin Ishak, who declared he would vote for Pakatan Harapan.

“Voting for PH. Why not? (It has always been BN/Umno with its divide and rule policy),” he wrote.

“Candidate of course,” wrote Facebook user Febe Han.

Twitter user Encik Khalid (@_Acat_) posted: “I’m voting for change.”

Another Twitter user Izwan (@izwanshahmin) said he would consider the candidates fielded.

“I vote for (the) person who can deliver (results for the people) with integrity.”

The 14th general election will see the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition take on new opposition coalition PH, which is led by former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad; and Gagasan Sejahtera, which will be led by PAS.

PAS, which had broken off with its former opposition allies PKR and DAP, is expected to split Malay votes in many seats nationwide, to the advantage of BN, especially its lynchpin party Umno.

PH, which has little trouble retaining the support of non-Malay and non-Muslim voters, is banking on its chairman Dr Mahathir and his Umno splinter party Bersatu to swing the Malay votes, namely in rural areas considered BN’s safe deposits.

Currently, PH is trying to register itself as a coalition in time for the polls so that its component members – Bersatu, PKR, DAP and Amanah – can contest under the same flag and symbol.

The coalition is still waiting for the Registrar of Societies to decide on its application, which was submitted in July last year.

On Sunday, Dr Mahathir urged all PH parties to unite and support the pact’s chosen candidates, regardless which party they came from.

He also said PH parties could get its own members and supporters to vote for the coalition in the election, but they must also target voters, who were not committed to any political party.

He said the parties must also consider the popularity of their individual candidates. – February 6, 2018.