Voters dissatisfied with interim govt; demand better economy, security: Survey

A nationwide survey of over 10,000 voters has revealed widespread dissatisfaction with the interim government.

The survey, titled “People’s Election Pulse: Feb-March 2025,” was conducted by Innovision Consulting.

It encompassed 10,696 voters across all eight divisions and 64 districts, delivering a stark verdict on the interim government’s performance.

Conducted using Computer-Aided Personal Interviews (CAPI) by 67 trained enumerators, the study reveals widespread dissatisfaction with the Interim Government’s handling of economic and social well-being, with a strong voter call for change in the upcoming election.

The survey highlights urgent demands for price control, employment, and anti-corruption measures, while reform agendas like constitutional changes and law enforcement restructuring rank low on voters’ priorities.

Economic instability and unmet promises are fueling public frustration ahead of the elections.

Robust sampling methodology

A comprehensive survey of 10,696 voters, including 9,823 households and 873 university samples, reveals a detailed demographic and geographic breakdown.

The sample was stratified by rural (77%) and urban (23%) areas, with a gender distribution of 55% male and 45% female.

Generational cohorts included 36% Gen Z, 34% Millennials, 18% Gen X, 8% Boomers II, 3% Boomers I, and 1% Post War.

The demographic breakdown showed 89% Muslim, 10% Hindu, and 1% Christian, with 98% identifying as Bangali.

Geographic distribution highlighted Dhaka Division (26%) as the largest voter bloc, followed by Chittagong (19%), Rajshahi (13%), Khulna (12%), Rangpur (11%), Mymensingh (7%), Sylhet (6%), and Barisal (6%).

Expectations vs reality

The survey reveals that economic and social well-being indicators are the primary expectations from the interim government, with managing price hikes (70%) and improving law and order (45%) topping the list.

However, the reform agenda scored low, with only 9% expecting political reform and 5% expecting constitutional reform.

The survey also highlighted that most voters felt their expectations were not met, with only 2.62% believing that managing price hikes was fully met, while 55.05% felt it was not met at all.

Similarly, 58.28% felt that improved law and order was not met, and 74.21% believed that employment growth was not achieved.

Additionally, 68% claimed the interim government failed to ensure a fair electoral process, and 41% reported worsening extortion in the last six months, signaling deteriorating public safety.

In all key economic and social indicators, including reduced corruption, election-friendly environments, and better business conditions, a majority of voters voiced that the interim government has not delivered on its promises.

The survey underscores the performance gap between voter expectations and the interim government’s actions, signaling a strong call for change in the upcoming election.

What voters want from next govt

Looking ahead, voters emphasized the need for managing price hikes (71%) and improving law and order (52%) as top priorities for the future government.

Employment growth (40%) and reducing corruption in public services (33%) were also significant expectations.

Reform measures, such as political and constitutional reform, scored significantly lower (13% and 9% respectively), underscoring the dominant public focus on immediate economic and social well-being.

The survey highlights a politically engaged electorate with clear expectations for economic stability and security.

The interim government’s performance has left many voters dissatisfied, particularly in areas such as managing price hikes, improving law and order, and employment growth.

As voters look toward the future, there is a strong call for decisive political leadership and substantial policy shifts to address their concerns.

The interim government’s tenure has been marked by unmet economic and social expectations, leaving voters disillusioned.

With elections looming, political parties face mounting pressure to address inflation, corruption, and unemployment—or risk further alienating an already skeptical electorate.

The overwhelming majority clearly indicates that the Interim Government has not met the fundamental expectations of its citizens.

With a substantial portion of the electorate already looking for change, parties will need to recalibrate their strategies to address these pressing concerns—especially in the realms of economic management and public safety.

The survey’s robust methodology and nationwide reach underscore a pressing message: the Interim Government is widely perceived as falling short of its promises.

As calls for a more effective and accountable government intensify, political parties and policymakers now face the daunting task of restoring public trust and addressing the core issues that matter most to voters.