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Arthur Hall, Senior Staff Reporter
Only a head bob separates most of the candidates of the two major political parties as Jamaica draws closer to the December 29 general election.
With the election less than two weeks away, potential voters are split almost evenly in their favourability ratings for the two parties, while a large number of Jamaicans are still yet to make their decision on the candidates nominated in their constituency.
A recently concluded Gleaner-commissioned Bill Johnson poll has found that 43 per cent of Jamaicans have a favourable opinion of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), while 42 per cent have a favourable opinion of the People's National Party (PNP). The JLP suffers from a 43 per cent unfavourable rating, while the PNP fears no better with a 44 per cent unfavourable rating.
Fourteen per cent of Jamaicans are undecided about how they view either party.
split on candidates
At the constituency level, Jamaicans are also split on the question of which of the two major parties has nominated a candidate who can better represent the interest of their constituency. There is also an almost equal share for the PNP and the JLP as to the favourability rating of the candidates.
The Gleaner-Johnson poll found that 34 per cent of the electorate believe the JLP candidate in their constituency would be the better member of parliament, while 32 per cent say the PNP candidate would do the better job in Gordon House.
However, a sizeable number of Jamaicans (34 per cent) are undecided as to which of the candidates would be better.
The race is also a dead heat when Jamaicans are asked what is their opinion of the candidates nominated by the two major parties.
Just over three in every 10 persons (33 per cent) in each of the 63 constituencies have a favourable opinion of the JLP candidate seeking their vote.
almost equal
An almost equal number (32 per cent) have a favourable opinion of the PNP candidate.
In horse-racing terms, it would be said that only a head bob separates the two parties in terms of the unfavourability rating for the candidates, with 36 per cent of the electorate not convinced about the JLP candidate, and 37 per cent having doubts about the person the PNP has put up to run in their constituency.
A solid 31 per cent of the voters are not sure how to judge the candidates, with many persons in that group yet to meet or know the persons begging for their vote.
The latest Gleaner-Johnson poll has also found that if elections were called today, 36 per cent of the people would vote JLP, while 32 per cent would vote PNP.
The poll was conducted on December 10 and 12 across all 63 constituencies with a sampling error of plus or minus four per cent. The sample size was 1,008.
arthur.hall@gleanerjn.com
Only a head bob separates most of the candidates of the two major political parties as Jamaica draws closer to the December 29 general election.
With the election less than two weeks away, potential voters are split almost evenly in their favourability ratings for the two parties, while a large number of Jamaicans are still yet to make their decision on the candidates nominated in their constituency.
A recently concluded Gleaner-commissioned Bill Johnson poll has found that 43 per cent of Jamaicans have a favourable opinion of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), while 42 per cent have a favourable opinion of the People's National Party (PNP). The JLP suffers from a 43 per cent unfavourable rating, while the PNP fears no better with a 44 per cent unfavourable rating.
Fourteen per cent of Jamaicans are undecided about how they view either party.
split on candidates
At the constituency level, Jamaicans are also split on the question of which of the two major parties has nominated a candidate who can better represent the interest of their constituency. There is also an almost equal share for the PNP and the JLP as to the favourability rating of the candidates.
The Gleaner-Johnson poll found that 34 per cent of the electorate believe the JLP candidate in their constituency would be the better member of parliament, while 32 per cent say the PNP candidate would do the better job in Gordon House.
However, a sizeable number of Jamaicans (34 per cent) are undecided as to which of the candidates would be better.
The race is also a dead heat when Jamaicans are asked what is their opinion of the candidates nominated by the two major parties.
Just over three in every 10 persons (33 per cent) in each of the 63 constituencies have a favourable opinion of the JLP candidate seeking their vote.
almost equal
An almost equal number (32 per cent) have a favourable opinion of the PNP candidate.
In horse-racing terms, it would be said that only a head bob separates the two parties in terms of the unfavourability rating for the candidates, with 36 per cent of the electorate not convinced about the JLP candidate, and 37 per cent having doubts about the person the PNP has put up to run in their constituency.
A solid 31 per cent of the voters are not sure how to judge the candidates, with many persons in that group yet to meet or know the persons begging for their vote.
The latest Gleaner-Johnson poll has also found that if elections were called today, 36 per cent of the people would vote JLP, while 32 per cent would vote PNP.
The poll was conducted on December 10 and 12 across all 63 constituencies with a sampling error of plus or minus four per cent. The sample size was 1,008.
arthur.hall@gleanerjn.com
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