These are among the key results in the second tranche of findings from the inaugural survey of the electoral landscape and voter attitudes by the Institute of Race Relations (IRR), published today in the second edition of The Criterion Report.
This edition is a ‘deep dive’ into the question of land, expropriation without compensation, land reform policy, property rights and the attitude of voters towards these issues.
The banner headline findings are:
· 27% of all voters have not heard of expropriation without compensation (EWC);
· 41% of all voters who have heard of EWC “Somewhat” or “Strongly” oppose the policy;
· 30% of all voters who have heard of EWC “Somewhat” or “Strongly” support the policy;
· 51% of all voters believe an alternative to EWC should be pursued, while 17% believe no land reform is necessary;
· 68% of all voters believe “Individuals should have the right to own land in their private capacity”;
· 31% of all voters believe “All land in South Africa should be owned by the government”; and
· Support for EWC collapses when respondents are asked whether government should be able to take land they own themselves, with 90% of all voters being “Somewhat” or “Strongly” opposed this.
The report comprises a two-part summary of the key political findings: Part A comprises an objective overview of the data and what it says. Part B comprises the IRR’s own analysis of the findings and what it believes are the key insights to be drawn from them.
The poll was in the field from 22 August 2018 to 4 September 2018 and canvassed just under 1 000 registered voters. It is fully demographically representative. A full breakdown of the methodology is contained in the report. More details are available on request.
The Criterion Report initiative matches the IRR’s objective to become an authority on political market research. It aims to replicate the survey every quarter.
