7 in 10 Pinoys believe results of May 10 polls credible

MANILA, Philippines - Seven in 10 Filipinos believe the results of the May 10 national elections are more credible than those of previous elections, a recent non-commissioned survey by polling firm Pulse Asia showed.                                                                         

In the survey conducted from July 1 to July 11, 66 percent of respondents said there was less cheating in the May elections.                                                                             

Seventy-two percent of the 1,200 respondents believe the May elections were more credible than past elections.               

Almost nine in 10, or 89 percent of respondents, said the counting of votes done by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for senators, party-list groups, and local elective positions was faster compared to the tallying in previous elections.                                                                                 

Ninety percent of the respondents also said the canvassing of votes done by Congress for president and vice-president was faster compared to those in previous elections.                       

Eighty one percent of respondents in Metro Manila and 81 percent of those from socioeconomic classes ABC believe there was less cheating in the last election.                    

Sixty-two percent to 64 percent of respondents in geographic areas outside Metro Manila and 58 percent to 68 percent of those from socioeconomic classes D and E believe there was less vote manipulation in the May 10 election.                                                                                       

Eighty percent of respondents from socioeconomic classes ABC believe that the results of the May 10 elections are more credible, against 71 percent of the respondents from socioeconomic classes D and E.                         

Seventeen percent of respondents, however, feel there was as much cheating during the May 2010 elections as in previous elections, while 11 percent say more cheating took place in the May elections than in previous electoral exercises.                                                                         

Seventeen percent of respondents believe the results of the most recent elections were just as credible as those of previous elections, while eight percent consider the election results less credible.                                                                

Five percent think the counting of votes in Congress and Comelec was either slower or the same as in past elections.    

The survey also showed that about 56 percent of respondents said they needed an hour to complete the voting process – starting from arrival at the precinct up to the application of indelible ink.                                        

Meanwhile, 26 percent of respondents said they needed more than two hours to vote.