Hoy newspaper publishes part two of its September Hamilton Beattie & Staff survey of Dominican voters as the 16 May election date approaches. Probable voters were asked: "Do you have a very favorable, moderately favorable, or moderately unfavorable or very unfavorable opinion about?" The poll establishes that PRD candidate, Hipólito Mejía’s popularity has dropped five points, but he continues to be the politician seen most favorably by potential voters. Former President Joaquin Balaguer, follows, and then PLD presidential candidate Danilo Medina and former vice president Jacinto Peynado. Peynado was the PRSC presidential candidate in 1996. He could be the PRSC candidate if Balaguer decides not to run for the PRSC. The results show Mejía’s popularity fell from 67% in May of this year to 62%. 34% of the population has an unfavorable opinion about Mejía. The survey showed that former President Balaguer increased his popularity, going from 46% to 51%, from May and September of this year. 46% have a negative perception of the former president. Pollsters also asked potential voters about which party they favor and the responses showed: the PRD 44%, PLD 23% (down from 34%) and PRSC, 19% (up from 14%). When asked, "Disregarding for whom you plan to vote, which of these political parties do you most identify with?," the response was: 48% PRD, PLD 24%, PRSC 18%. None 13%. The poll was carried out 17-22 September throughout the national territory. 1,000 persons of voting age were polled. The margin of error of the poll is 3.5 percent points.
