A recent survey conducted by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) indicates that one in five young adults in the UK do not perceive elections in the country as fair and democratic.
This finding marks the highest proportion among all age groups and is twice the corresponding figure for individuals aged 70 and above, where one in ten expressed similar sentiments.
The survey, which explored attitudes towards elections, revealed that approximately 58% of all respondents agreed or strongly agreed that elections in the UK are fair and democratic. Interestingly, this perception varied across demographic groups, with a higher proportion of men (66%) than women (51%) endorsing the fairness of elections. Similarly, respondents aged 70 and over exhibited a stronger inclination (70%) towards this view compared to those aged 50-69 (60%), 30-49 (53%), and 16-29 (55%) years old.
Conversely, among 16-29-year-olds, 20% disagreed or strongly disagreed with the assertion that elections are fair and democratic. This proportion gradually decreased among older age groups, with 19% of 30-49-year-olds, 14% of 50-69-year-olds, and 10% of individuals aged 70 and above expressing similar doubts.
The survey also explored concerns regarding the conduct of general elections. The most commonly cited issue was the spread of "fake news" and misinformation, with 64% of respondents expressing apprehension. This was followed by concerns about media bias (54%) and foreign influence on election outcomes (35%). Additionally, 19% of respondents voiced concerns about the requirement to present identification at polling stations, while 18% cited worries regarding electoral fraud. Interestingly, 18% of respondents reported having no concerns about the upcoming general election.
The survey, conducted from April 24 to May 6, involved 2,640 individuals aged 16 and over across Britain. These findings provide valuable insights into public perceptions and concerns surrounding the fairness and conduct of elections in the UK. Photo by secretlondon123, Wikimedia commons.