Most respondents to a recent NIDA Poll disagree with the Democrat party joining the coalition led by the Pheu Thai party and most of them want Abhisit Vejjajiva to be re-elected as party leader.

The poll also shows that 58.63% of the respondents have never voted for the Democrat party.

The poll was conducted on August 9 and 10 by the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA). They gauged the opinions of 1,310 people, aged over 18, of different educational and occupational backgrounds.

On the question of whether they have voted for the Democrat party, the poll shows 58.63% said that they have never voted for the party. 31.91% said they used to vote for the party, but did not vote for them in the May 14^th general election. 9.31% said they have always voted for the party, while 0.15% said they have never exercised their voting rights.

Asked their preference for party leader, the poll shows Abhisit is the favourite, with 37.48% of the respondents wanting him to be re-elected, followed by 24.43% for former party leader Chuan Leekpai. 9.85% were for Dr. Suchatvee Suwansawat, 4.27% for Watanya Bunnag, 3.05% for former party leader Jurin Laksanawisit, 2.90% for Khunying Kalaya Sophonpanich, 2.67% for Alongkorn Polabutr and 1.76% for former party leader Banyat Bantadtan.

Asked whether they want the Democrat party to join the Pheu Thai-led coalition, 44.96% said they strongly disagree, 19.54% said they definitely agree, 18.70% said they agree and 16.18% said they disagree.

The Democrat party is still unable to elect its new party leader and executive committee. Two previous general meetings for the election lacked a quorum, which had allegedly been manipulated by the “old guard”, according to former secretary-general Chalermchai Sri-on, to prevent the party from joining the Pheu Thai-led coalition.