IRI survey shows 70% of respondents back interim govt

A new nationwide survey conducted by International Republican Institute’s (IRI) Center for Insights in Survey Research indicates broad public support for the interim government, with about 70 percent of respondents saying they are satisfied with its performance.

According to the findings, 69 percent of Bangladeshis believe Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus is performing well, while 70 percent expressed approval of the interim administration as a whole.

“Bangladeshis see positive momentum under Dr Yunus’ leadership,” said Johanna Kao, IRI’s senior director for the Asia-Pacific region. She added that the strong approval ratings signal the public’s desire for “stability, accountability and reform.”

The report also highlights high voter enthusiasm ahead of the national election. Sixty-six percent of respondents said they are very likely to vote, with another 23 percent somewhat likely to participate. An overwhelming 80 percent said they expect the upcoming polls to be free and fair.

Kao noted that such engagement underscores the need for sustained reforms and a peaceful, credible electoral process.

IRI has been conducting periodic surveys in Bangladesh for over a decade to gauge citizen perspectives on politics, governance and public policy.

The latest findings echo patterns seen during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure, when IRI surveys repeatedly recorded high approval ratings.

An IRI poll released on 8 August 2023 found that around 70 percent of respondents approved of then-Prime Minister Hasina’s performance. The same survey showed a notable rise in support for the opposition, climbing to 63 percent from 36 percent in 2019.

Earlier, a 30 August 2017 IRI report showed that 75 percent of Bangladeshis felt the country was moving in the right direction, citing improvements in both national and personal economic conditions. While optimism was strong, concerns over the economy and security remained significant, with 20 percent identifying the economy as the country’s top issue and 19 percent pointing to security.

Between April 10 and May 21 2018, IRI found that 62 percent of respondents still believed the country was on the right track, although views on political stability were mixed — ranging from “somewhat good” to “very bad.”

The latest survey suggests continuity in public expectations: strong backing for leadership paired with hopes for stability, reform and a credible electoral process.