TU spokesman blasts SWS survey on vote-buying

Team Unity spokesman and Tourism Secretary Joseph Durano on Friday branded as “mere perception" the Social Weather Station (SWS) survey result that seven out of 10 registered voters expect vote-buying in the May 14 elections. “Ultimately, surveys capture mere perception of the respondents on a particular matter. Rather than argue over perceptions, let’s deal with reality," Durano said in a text message. He said the reality is that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has reshuffled members of the board of canvassers to ensure independence, put up special courts to handle protests swiftly and added one more election return for public posting. “All of these, along with the multi-sectoral movement to preserve the integrity of the election will ensure that the election will truly express the will of the voters," he said. The April 14-17 SWS survey also showed expectations of voting irregularities this year are markedly higher compared to previous campaigns in 2004, 2001 and 1992. Vote-buying was expected by 57 percent of voters in April 1992, 48 percent in April 2001, 49 percent in April 2004 and 69 percent in April 2007. Half of the voters also agreed to the test statement that "in an election, it is not bad to accept money provided one votes according to one's conscience." But 32 percent disagree, while 16 percent are undecided.- GMANews.TV