66% support Sheikh Hasina

Around 66 percent of the respondents support Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as the PM, according to a survey by the International Republican Institute (IRI).

It also found that 64 percent of them have favourable opinions for the Awami League-led government.

The Washington-based organisation conducted the survey between April 10 and May 21 this year. BSS received a copy of the survey on Monday.

IRI collected data using a multi-stage stratified probability sample through in-person, in-home interviews. The sample was stratified by division, by district, and by urban and rural locations.

Majority people of the country have said the country is marching ahead in the right direction under the leadership of PM Hasina, while a sense of high optimism is vindicated over the current economic situation, said IRI, a non-profit and non-partisan organisation, which is committed to advancing freedom and democracy worldwide.

IRI working area covers Asia, Europe, Africa, Eurasia, Latin America and the Caribbean, Middle East and North Africa.

The 33-page survey titled "National Survey of Bangladesh Public Opinion" said a staggering 62 percent people believe the country is going ahead on the right path, and as many as 69 percent people are satisfied with the current state of the economy.

On a similar note, the survey said an overwhelming support is evident in the government's effort to ensure public security, given that around 68 percent people are satisfied with current security situation. It added that 57 percent people believe the security situation will improve in the coming days.

On the front of providing people with basic services, the government enjoys an upbeat mood as 67 percent people are happy with healthcare service, 64 percent with electricity situation and 61 percent with the development of roads, highways and bridges.

Around 51 percent people have expressed satisfaction with the current state of democracy and 51 percent people vindicated their trust on the work of parliament.

In addition, around 81 percent people said they would cast their votes in the upcoming elections, while 51 percent people gave an affirmative nod on the current state of democracy in the country.

The survey sample consists of 5,000 respondents aged 18 and older, and the sample is representative of voting-age adults nationally.

An earlier survey, conducted by IRI, illustrated a similar tenor of public opinion on the country's progress.

Released in January 2016, the poll divulged 64 percent of the respondents thought the country is heading in the right direction.

Another survey, conducted and released in 2015 by the British Council, ActionAid Bangladesh and the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh, showed 75 percent of Bangladeshi youths see the country as a more prosperous nation in the next 15 years and 60 percent think it is heading in the right direction.

Preference of the surveyed countrymen reveals Hasina stands out as the most popular and trusted national leader in the country. Around 72.3 percent respondents have a "good" opinion about Hasina running the country. In contrast, only 26.6 percent respondents have a "good" opinion about Khaleda Zia running the country.

According to another 2015 IRI survey, around 67 percent respondents gave admission that Hasina is the statesman to be relied upon.