How Palestinians feel about election results: a public opinion poll

What would bring a people, the most secular of Arab populations with little history of religious fundamentalism, to vote Hamas?

The Jerusalem Media & Communication Centre (JMCC) has conducted a public opinion poll on Palestinian attitudes towards the results of the elections held on January 25, 2006.

1,200 people were surveyed throughout the West Bank (760 people) and the Strip of Gaza (440 people). Respondents surveyed from the Strip of Gaza came from in and around Gaza, Khan Younis, Rafah and deir al Balah. The average age of the respondents was 34 years and respondents included fishermen.

As a reminder, in the New Parliament, Hamas won 30 seats from national lists and 46 seats from election districts, i.e. 76 seats out of 132.

I've written below some of the results obtained from the poll in the Gaza Strip to get a feel of how Gazans approached the elections.

Number of respondents in the Gaza Strip= 440

Did the elections results meet your expections?

Met my expectations: 26.1
Somewhat met my expectations: 31.8
Did not meet my expectations: 40.9
No answer: 1.2

Given the elections results, to what extent you say that the elected members represent your point of view?

Represent my point of view: 32.7
Represent my point of view to a certain extent: 40.2
Do not represent my point of view: 24.8
No answer: 2.3

In general, how do you evaluate the performance of the previous Palestinian Legislative Council?

Very good: 3.2
Good: 20.7
Bad: 39.8
Very bad: 34.5
No answer: 1.8

What is the government structure you hope to see after the Palestinian Legislative Council elections?

National Coalition: 55.5
Hamas Government: 23.4
Technocrat Government: 16.1
No answer: 5.0

The Palestinian Authority is committed to the option of political negotiations with Israel. Do you believe that the new government headed by Hamas has to continue with the political negotiations, stop the political negotiations and should adopt other options?

To continue with the political negotiations: 63.2
Stop the political negotiations: 33.9
No answer: 2.9

If you voted for Hamas , why so?*This question was asked who said that they voted for Hamas

Religious Factors: 18.9
Hope to end the Corruption: 47.6
Hope to live in better living conditions: 7.9
For their political agenda: 11.0
To stop Fateh's control over the government: 5.3
Others: 3.5
No answer: 5.8

Regardless of whom you voted for, why do you think most People voted for them?

Religious Factors: 11.6
Hope to end the Corruption: 51.4
Hope to live in a better living conditions: 18.4
For their political agenda: 5.5
To stop Fateh's control over the government: 9.8
Others: 2.3
No answer: 1.0