BARISAN Nasional enjoys a higher support rate among respondents of a recent poll conducted by the UCSI Poll Research Centre.

The survey found that the coalition found support among first-time voters (44%), while its poster boy Ismail Sabri Yaakob was the choice of respondents to become the prime minister after the GE (24%).

The poll, taken between November 8 and 14 from 1,765 respondents, showed that the overall support rate for BN was 38.53%, followed by Pakatan Harapan (31.05%), Perikatan Nasional (13.88%) and Gerakan Tanah Air (0.96%). 15.58% of the respondents did not respond to this question.

Out of the 1,765 respondents in this study, 73% indicated that they will come out to vote on Saturday, said the centre in a press release today.

Among the findings of the survey included:

* Urban voters tend to support PH (52%) while rural voters tend to support BN (60%).

First-time voters tend to support BN. The percentages are BN (44%). PH (30%), PN (15%) and no response (11%).

*  The choice of PM is Ismail Sabri Yaakob (24%), Anwar Ibrahim (22%), Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (15%), Muhyiddin Yassin (10%), Abdul Hadi Awang (8%), Mohd Shafie Apdal (4%), Dr Mahathir Mohamad (2%) and no response (15%).

* 34% of the respondents stated that they would vote according to party/coalition, 23% will place their votes according to their choice of candidate, while 37% will consider both party and candidate. 6% have not expressed any opinion on this matter.

The survey found that Ismail Sabri was the top choice of Malays while Anwar was the pick of the Chinese.

The respondents in the UCSI’s poll consisted of 953 males (54%) and 812 females (46%). 

Among the respondents,1,041 were Malays, Chinese (475), Indian (246), others (3).

A total of 318 were first-time voters aged 18-22 years old.

In terms of voting areas, 1,002 are from urban areas and 763 are from rural areas. – November 17, 2022.