By Tessa Wong
A POST-ELECTION survey conducted by the Institute of Policy
Studies has found that there were more swing voters in the latest
general election compared to the 2006 election, especially among
those in their 40s and seniors aged above 65.
Conservative voters saw a dip especially among those aged 65 and
above. Voters who wanted greater pluralism saw increases among
those aged 21 to 29 and aged 65 and above.
Overall the survey also found that the higher the level of
socio-economic status of the voter, the higher the support of
political pluralism (the existence of rival value systems in
political thought), similar to what it found in 2006.
Cost of living had also become more important as an influencing
issue in this election compared to the last one.
The issue resounded the most with voters aged 30 to 54, and in
the service class defined as senior executives, professionals,
technicians or supervisors. The most influential issue was the need
for efficient government, the same as in 2006.
The survey polled 2,080 adults aged 21 and above, and data was
weighted according to the population's age, gender and race
demographics. Results were compared to a similar survey done after
the 2006 election.