Survey shows Kenyans favour December poll date

By Lucianne Limo

Majority of Kenyans prefer the next General Election to be held in December 2012 rather than in March 2013.

The latest poll by Infotrak-Harris and Ipsos Synovate show that majority of Kenyans who are the custodians of the constitution want to go to the polls this year.

According to Infotrack Harris (64 percent) of Kenyans want to go to the polls this year with a paltry 12 percent preferring 2013.

Ipsos-Synovate poll shows 72 percent of Kenyans would like the elections held in December 2012 whilst 12 percent cite March 2013.

Infotrack found that 16 percent said they want the coming elections held in August 2012.

Infotrak Director Angela Ambitho. Recent survey shows Kenyans prefer December 2012 poll to March 2013. (Photo:File/Standard)

Both pollsters indicate that majority of Kenyans preferred December polls because people are less busy and are available to vote.

According to Infotrack, the main reason given by those supporting December polls (51 percent) was that it is a long holiday and many Kenyans are free to cast their vote.

"Others (44 percent) felt that Kenyans are used to voting in December whereas some said there is need to give the electoral body time to prepare for the polls, "said Infotrak Director Angela Ambitho.

Reasons cited by proponents of March elections said in order to give time for the implementation of the constitution (57 percent) and that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission needed time to prepare boundaries (32 percent).

Others reasoned that holding elections in March will be prudent to avoid violence during the holiday season (11 percent) while 3 percent said we need to respect courts and government’s decision.

More than six in ten of the surveyed Kenyans in the age bracket 18 to 45 years indicated preference of the December 2012 date for the next general elections.

"Slightly more males (65percent) than females (63percent) indicated they prefer the next general elections held in December, "said Ambitho.

The polls conducted between March 11 and 13 2012 with 2400 respondents expressing confidence that the electoral body will conduct a free and fair elections.

Slightly more than eight in every ten of the surveyed gave the electoral body thumbs up while 7percent said they are not confident citing political interference.

Even as Kenyans prepare to go to the polls, they cited challenges they are facing among them insecurity, unemployment and high cost of living.

"One in every four of the Kenyans surveyed indicated the one thing they would like the government to act on is the high cost of living and creation of employment opportunities, ‘said Ambitho.

A further 16percent mentioned insecurity as the issue they would like the government to act on, she added.