Africans Politicians Are ?Dishonest? -Poll

Adults in seven African nations are concerned about the behaviour of key authorities, according to a poll by Gallup International. 82 per cent of respondents in Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa and Tunisia believe political leaders are dishonest.

Ghana, Tunisia, Cameroon and South Africa held elections last year. The four contests resulted in victories for the incumbent governments.

In Ghana, head of state John Agyekum Kufuor of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) was re-elected with 53.36 per cent of all cast ballots.

Tunisian president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali of the Democratic Constitutional Rally (RCD) earned a new term with 94.48 per cent of the vote.

70 per cent of respondents feel political leaders have too much power and responsibility, 65 per cent say they behave unethically, and 54 per cent think they are incapable and incompetent.

Cameroon?s Paul Biya also secured a new term in office with 75.23 per cent of the vote as a candidate for the People?s Democratic Movement (RDPC/CPDM), while the African National Congress (ANC) secured its third consecutive majority in the South African National Assembly.

50 per cent of respondents say political leaders respond to pressure from people more powerful than themselves, while 41 per cent feel they are too sensitive to public opinion.

In Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo of the People?s Democratic Party (PDP) was re-elected with almost 62 per cent of the vote in April 2003. In Kenya, Mwai Kibaki of the National Rainbow Coalition (NRC) won the December 2002 presidential election with 62.2 per cent of all cast ballots. Moroccan voters will renew the Assembly of Representatives in September 2007.

Polling Data

Which of these do you think applies to political leaders? (Positive responses only)

They are dishonest 82%

They have too much power and responsibility 70%

They behave unethically 65%

They are incapable and incompetent 54%

They respond to pressure from people more powerful than themselves 50%

They are too sensitive to public opinion 41%

Source: Gallup International

Methodology: Interviews to 11,648 respondents in seven African countries, conducted from Nov. 27 to Dec. 3, 2004. No margin of error was provided.