A majority of people say they want the draft constitution to impose tough penalties on those found guilty of election fraud and corruption, according to an opinion poll by the National Institute of Development Administration and the Constitution Drafting Committee.
The poll was conducted on Feb 8-9 on 1,250 people aged 18 and over of various levels of education and occupation to compile their opinions on measures to be included in the draft charter to prevent corruption among politicians of all levels.
Asked whether they would agree if the draft charter stipulates that a candidate running for the House of Representative who causes the election to be unfair and dishonest should be banned from elections for life, 82.88% of the respondents agreed and 13.20% disagreed.
Asked whether a cabinet minister found guilty by the court and sentenced to a jail term, or suspended jail term, should be removed from his or her position immediately without waiting for the Supreme Court's ruling, 87.68% of the respondents said "yes" and 10.64% said "no."
To the question of whether those found guilty of malfeasance or being unusually rich should be banned from elections for life, 86% of the respondents said "yes" and 12.24% said "no."
Asked whether an MP, a senator or any group of persons found to have diverted funds from the national budget for their own interests directly or indirectly should be removed from their positions and banned from elections, 92.72% agreed and 6.40% disagreed.
Asked if they would agree if the draft charter stipulates that a cabinet minister found to have carried out a project with an intention of siphoning the national budget to directly or indirectly benefit holders of political posts and colleagues should be removed from his or her positition and required to return the money plus interest, 92.48% of the respondents agreed and 5.20% disagreed.