Public wants court ruling on barcode ballots before new government: NIDA Poll

NIDA Poll, the public opinion survey centre of the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA), released the results of its survey, “Forming a new government vs the ballot paper issue”, conducted between March 2-4, 2026.

According to the survey, when respondents were asked for their views on the formation of a new government and the court case over the affixing of QR codes and barcodes to ballot papers:

• 44.81% believed a new government should not be formed in haste, but should wait until the court issues a ruling on the affixing of QR codes and barcodes to ballot papers.
• 41.68% believed a new government should be formed quickly so that the country can move forward.
• 13.20% had no preference.
• 0.31% did not answer or were not interested.

On public opinion over whether the issue of affixing QR codes and barcodes to ballot papers would lead to a new round of political turmoil:

• 36.56% believed it would not lead to any political turmoil.
• 34.20% believed it would lead to a new round of political turmoil, but the government would be able to control it.
• 28.55% believed it would lead to a new round of political turmoil that the government would not be able to control.
• 0.69% did not answer or were not interested.

Lastly, when asked about concerns that their ballot in the election on February 8 would not remain secret:

• 47.64% were not concerned at all.
• 19.08% were quite concerned.
• 18.55% were very concerned.
• 14.27% were not very concerned.
• 0.46% did not answer or were not interested.