In the pre-debate program of the third and final leg of the #PiliPinasDebates2016 on Sunday at the University of Pangasinan, political analyst Prospero De Vera said that when asked about their likelihood to change voter preference before the elections, almost half answered in the affirmative.
De Vera said only 5 percent revealed that they are still undecided at this moment. However, more than 40% confirmed that they are still open to changing their minds until election day.
"In all the surveys that were asked, even if only 5 percent of voters say they have not chosen a presidential candidate, that looks small, only 5 percent,” De Vera said.
“But for the 95 percent who have chosen their presidential candidate, when they were asked the question, 'Can you still change your mind between now and Election Day?' more than 40% said they are still open to changing their minds," he explained.
"There is a big percentage of voters who can still change [voter preference]," he added.
Moreover, De Vera emphasized the significance of the last few weeks leading to Election Day.
According to the political analyst, more than a quarter of the voting public make their decision in the last three weeks of the campaign.
"Another important thing to remember is, in the surveys that were run, not only now but also in previous elections, as many as 26 percent of voters say they make their decision in the last three weeks of the campaign," De Vera said.
Sunday's debate hosted by ABS-CBN, in cooperation with Manila Bulletin, marked the start of the last two weeks leading to the May 9 national elections.
source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
