Opposition Leader Kamla Persad Bissessar leads Prime Minister Keith Rowley in approval ratings for their job performance according to the latest poll conducted by NACTA. But the lead is almost negligible when factoring in the margin of error of the poll. Kamla enjoys a higher net approval.
Opposition Leader Kamla Persad Bissessar’s job approval rating has inched up after taking a nosedive over selection of her party’s election candidates three weeks ago. Her approval numbers from last August thru June was holding steady around 54% with a disapproval of 39% and 6% neutral or no rating or no comment. Then her approval went down to 48% and disapproval up to 42% when she announced the party’s candidates for the so-called ‘safe’ seats in mid-July. Since then her approval numbers have shot back up to 53% and disapproval down to 40%, enjoying a 13% net approval as of July 31.
The Prime Minister’s job approval rating has been holding steady in opinion polls conducted between last November and thru the end of July. Dr. Keith Rowley’s approval numbers have stood consistently between 44% and 46%. His disapproval numbers stood between 48% and 53%. His last approval-disapproval number on July 31 was 46%-49% for a net of negative 3%. As election date edges closer, both Kamla’s and Rowley’s approval numbers are on a mend and their disapproval numbers are going down.
Elections are not determined by approval numbers but by votes. Nationally, the UNC and PNM are almost neck and neck in popular support with UNC holding a slight edge. But victory is decided by seats won and not popular votes. In the battle for the 41 seats, UNC leads in 18 while PNM also leads in 18. The other five seats are very close almost neck and neck and can go either way. One of two of the seats in the PNM column could swing towards the minor PDP party if it continues its upward momentum.