Afghan poll - BBC News

This survey was conducted for ABC News, the BBC and ARD by the Afghan Center for Socio-Economic and Opinion Research (ACSOR) based in Kabul, a D3 Systems Inc. subsidiary. Interviews were conducted in person, in Dari or Pashto, among a random national sample of 1,534 Afghan adults from 11-23 December, 2009..

Q1. Generally speaking, do you think things in Afghanistan today are going in the right direction, or do you think they are going in the wrong direction?

Right direction Wrong direction Mixed No opinion

2010 % 70 21 5 3

2009 % 40 38 14 9

2007 % 54 24 15 7

2006 % 55 22 17 5

2005 % 77 6 11 6

2004 % 64 11 8 16

Q2. In your view, what is the biggest problem facing Afghanistan as a whole? And after that, what is the next biggest problem? 2010 2009 % % 34 34 38 32 9 14 7 8 2 2 4 4 2 2 1 1 3 2

Biggest Problem Economy/poverty/jobs Security/warlords/attacks/violence Weak government/Corruption Reconstruction problems Foreign influence Education/schools/literacy Drug trade/poppy cultivation Discord/Lack of unity No opinion

2010 2009 % % 37 34 19 20 12 12 7 8 2 2 2 5 3 2 1 1 16 15

Next Biggest Problem Economy/poverty/jobs Security/warlords/attacks/violence Weak government/Corruption Reconstruction problems Foreign influence Education/schools/literacy Drug trade/poppy cultivation Discord/Lack of unity No opinion

Q3. I would like to ask you about today's conditions in the village/neighbourhood where you live. How would you rate the following using very good, somewhat good, somewhat bad or very bad? Your living conditions overall 2010 %

2009 %

2007 %

2006 %

2005 %

1

Very good Somewhat good Somewhat bad Very bad No opinion

16 55 20 9 -

10 52 27 11 -

11 59 23 5 1

11 65 21 3 -

15 68 13 3 1

2010 % 16 38 31 12 2

2009 % 15 40 29 13 3

2007 % 16 50 24 8 1

2006 % 20 49 25 6 0

2005 % 28 45 19 5 3

2009 % 4 25 37 33 1

2007 % 3 23 45 28 1

2006 % 5 28 49 17 0

2005 % 5 30 41 19 6

2010 % 15 36 28 20 1

2009 % 9 34 33 24 -

2007 % 4 27 36 33 1

2006 % 6 24 39 30 0

2005 % 2 21 39 37 1

2010 % 26 38 20 15 1

2009 % 23 42 20 15 -

2007 % 17 37 28 18 1

2006 % 14 40 31 15 0

2005 % 18 40 31 10 0

Security from crime and violence


Availability of jobs/economic opportunities


2010 % 8 33 33 25 2

Roads, bridges and other infrastructure

Very good Somewhat good Somewhat bad Very bad No opinion Availability of clean water

Very good Somewhat good Somewhat bad Very bad No opinion Supply of electricity

2010

2009

2007

2006

2005

2

% 17 22 17 42 3

% 5 14 17 60 4

% 4 10 23 61 2

% 4 17 28 50 0

% 4 14 29 52 1

2010 % 14 52 22 9 2

2009 % 9 54 25 10 2

2007 % 11 54 27 6 1

2006 % 17 64 14 4 0

2005 % 22 56 17 3 2

2010 % 14 38 33 15 1

2009 % 7 43 33 16 -

2007 % 6 40 35 18 1

2006 % 9 40 39 12 0

2005 % 12 33 44 11 1

Very good Somewhat good Somewhat bad Very bad No opinion Availability of food

Very good Somewhat good Somewhat bad Very bad No opinion Availability of medical care

Very good Somewhat good Somewhat bad Very bad No opinion Local schools


2010 % 28 43 18 9 2

2009 % 28 49 15 7 1

2007 % 21 49 15 14 1

2006 % 18 55 23 4 0

2005 % 25 55 13 6 0

Rights of women


2010 % 19 44 21 12 3

2009 % 15 44 23 14 4

2007 % 17 44 22 14 3

2006 % 21 50 22 6 0

Your freedom of movement – the ability to go where you wish safely 2010

2009

2007

3


% 23 43 21 11 2

% 24 36 29 10 1

% 27 44 18 10 2

Security from the Taliban and other armed groups


2009 % 19 30 27 22 2

2010 % 16 31 30 19 3

Your ability to afford the price of things you want and need


2010 % 7 43 34 15 3

2009 % 4 37 38 20 1

Support for agriculture, including the availability of seed, fertilizer and farming equipment


2010 % 11 34 32 19 5

2009 % 6 31 30 23 11

Q4. Compared to before the fall of the Taliban government in late 2001, is each item I name much better now, somewhat better, about the same, somewhat worse or much worse? Your living conditions overall

Much Better Somewhat Better About the Same Somewhat Worse Much Worse No opinion

2010 % 24 46 10 7 3 4

Security from crime and violence


2010 % 13 33 28 18 5 3

Availability of jobs or economic opportunities


2010 % 11 32 28 21 6 1

Freedom to express political opinion


2010 % 23 38 20 10 4 6


2010 % 25 41 18 10 3 3

The rights of women

Roads, bridges and other infrastructure

Much Better

2010 % 24 5

Somewhat Better About the Same Somewhat Worse Much Worse No opinion

38 21 12 5 1

Q5. What is your expectation for things overall in your life a year from now? Will they be much better, somewhat better, about the same, somewhat worse, or much worse?


2010 % 31 40 19 4 1 5

2009 % 14 37 28 10 3 8

2007 % 14 36 26 7 2 15

2006 % 11 43 23 7 2 14

2005 % 23 44 13 0 1 19

Q6. Do you think your children will have a better life than you, worse, or about the same?

Better Worse About the Same No opinion

2010 % 61 11 19 9

2009 % 47 14 21 18

2007 % 51 11 21 17

Q7. How would you rate the work of: Present government

Excellent Good Fair Poor No opinion

2010 % 19 41 25 10 5

2009 % 10 38 30 18 3

2007 % 15 44 29 11 1

2006 % 15 48 27 9 0

2005 % 27 53 14 5 1

2009 % 16 36 29 18 1

2007 % 26 37 28 8 1

2006 % 21 46 25 7 0

2005 % 45 38 14 2 1

Hamid Karzai as President of Afghanistan


2010 % 28 44 19 8 1

6

Provincial government here 2009 % 10 35 36 17 1

2007 % 10 41 32 13 3


2010 % 19 44 26 10 2

2009 % 15 42 32 11 1


2010 % 28 41 20 6 4

2009 % 18 39 26 8 9

2010 % 14 44 29 12 1


2006 % 10 42 36 11 1

Police in this area

Afghan Army forces

U.S. in Afghanistan


2010 % 6 32 33 25 3

2009 % 5 27 36 27 5

2007 % 8 35 32 21 5

2006 % 12 45 27 15 1

2005 % 20 48 22 8 3

NATO/ISAF Forces


2010 % 7 28 35 27 4

2009 % 6 27 36 26 5

2010

2009

Foreign aid organizations

7


% 14 37 31 17 2

% 12 33 32 19 4

The UN in Afghanistan 2010 % 21 40 28 9 2


Q8. How confident are you that the newly re-elected government of Hamid Karzai in Kabul will work well for the benefit of the Afghan people?

Very confident Fairly confident Not very confident Not at all confident No opinion

2010 % 30 48 13 6 2

Q9. Who would you rather have ruling Afghanistan today?

Current government Taliban Other No opinion

2010 % 90 6 3

2009 % 82 4 10 4

2007 % 84 4 6 6

2006 % 88 3 4 5

2005 % 91 1 2 6

Q10. Which of the following do you think poses the biggest danger in our country?

Taliban Drug traffickers Local commanders United States Current Afghan government Something else No opinion

2010 % 69 11 6 4 2 3 4

2009 % 58 13 7 8 1 10 3

2007 % 52 23 9 10 1 2 2

2006 % 57 20 9 8 3 0 0

2005 % 41 28 22 4 2 2 2

8

Q11. Since 2002, has foreign aid coming into the country brought any benefit to you personally, or not? 2009 2010 % % Yes 30 28 No 67 66 No opinion 3 6 Q12. Have any of the following been built, rebuilt, or reopened in the past 5 years in your area: Yes Yes09 No No09 2009 % % School 72 27 69 30 Health clinic 45 54 50 49 Government offices 31 65 34 62 Mosque 53 44 58 41 Police station 44 51 46 50 Road 47 52 56 43 Q13. How much of a problem is the issue of corruption among government officials or the police in this area?

Big problem Moderate problem Small problem Not a problem No opinion

2010 % 76 19 3 2

2009 % 63 21 8 3 4

2007 % 45 27 10 11 6

2006 % 55 23 11 9 2

Q14. Is it your opinion that corruption among government officials or the police has increased over the last year or so, decreased, or has it remained about the same?

Increased Decreased Remained about the same No opinion

2010 % 44 31 25 -

2009 % 50 22 21 7

Q15. Beyond any corruption occurring in your local area, what is your view of the level of corruption? Within the government of this province?

Big problem Moderate problem

2010 % 64 26

9

Small problem Not a problem No opinion

6 2 2

At the national level within the government in Kabul? 2010 % 64 19 9 2 5

Big problem Moderate problem Small problem Not a problem No opinion

Q16. From today’s perspective, do you think it was very good, mostly good, mostly bad or very bad that U.S. military forces came into our country to bring down the Taliban government in 2001?

Very good Mostly good Mostly bad Very bad No opinion

2010 % 41 42 9 6 2

2009 % 27 42 12 12 7

2007 % 35 40 10 10 4

2006 % 45 43 7 4 1

2005 % 48 39 6 3 4

Q17. Do you strongly support, somewhat support, somewhat oppose or strongly oppose the presence of the following groups in Afghanistan today? U.S. military forces

Strongly support Somewhat support Somewhat oppose Strongly oppose No opinion

2010 % 21 47 17 14 1

2009 % 12 51 21 15 2

2007 % 20 51 15 12 2

2006 % 30 48 15 6 1

2010 % 18 44 21 16 2

2009 % 13 46 24 16 2

2007 % 25 42 17 13 2

2006 % 30 48 15 6 1

NATO/ISAF military forces

Strongly support Somewhat support Somewhat oppose Strongly oppose No opinion Jihadi fighters from other countries

10


2010 % 3 14 27 54 2

2009 % 2 9 27 60 3

2007 % 1 13 27 56 3

2006 % 1 10 27 61 1

2010 % 3 7 19 70 2

2009 % 2 6 20 70 2

2007 % 1 4 19 73 3

2006 % 1 3 14 81 1

2010 % 30 45 14 9 2

2009 % 30 43 14 10 2

Fighters from the Taliban

Strongly support Somewhat support Somewhat oppose Strongly oppose No opinion Foreign aid organizations


Q18. Who do you blame the most for the violence that is occurring in the country?

Taliban Al Qaeda/foreign jihadis U.S./American forces Obama/Bush/U.S. government/America Local commanders/warlords Drug traffickers Afghan government/Karzai Afghan forces NATO/ISAF forces Other No opinion

2010 % 42 24 5 2 7 6 6 1 3 3 1

2009 % 27 22 12 6 6 5 12 3 3 3 1

2007 % 36 22 9 7 6 6 5 2 3 2

Q19. Over the past 12 months, would you say the Taliban in Afghanistan have grown stronger, grown weaker, or remained about the same? 2010 %

2009 %

2007 % 11

Grown stronger Grown weaker Remained about same No opinion

43 24 25 8

30 40 25 5

42 24 26 8

Q20. In the terms of each item below, over the past 12 months would you say the performance of U.S. and NATO/ISAF forces has got better, got worse, or remained about the same? 2010

Providing security in our country Avoiding civilian causalities Providing reconstruction and development assistance

Better Worse About same % % % 35 37 27 24 33

43 28

31 35

Don’t know % 1 3 3

Q21. Do you think the government in Kabul should negotiate a settlement with Afghan Taliban in which they are allowed to hold political offices if they agree to stop fighting, or do you think the government in Kabul should continue to fight the Taliban and not enter into these negotiations? 2009 2007 2010 % % % Negotiate a settlement 64 60 65 Continue to fight Taliban 25 32 28 No opinion 11 8 7 Q22. Do you think the government should negotiate only if the Taliban first stop fighting, or negotiate even as fighting continues?

Negotiate only if the Taliban stop fighting Negotiate even as fighting continues No opinion

2010 % 76

2009 % 71

23

29

1

1

Q23. What do you think is most likely: The Afghan government with foreign assistance will defeat the Taliban; the Taliban will defeat the Afghan government; both sides will negotiate a settlement; or the fighting will go on with no winner and no settlement?

Afghan government will defeat the Taliban with foreign assistance The Taliban will defeat the

2010 %

2009 %

41

33

10

8

12

government Both sides will negotiate a settlement The fighting will go on with no winner and no settlement No opinion

33

33

19

12

7

4

Q24. Is it your impression that the Taliban have changed and become more moderate, or do you think they remain the same as they were when they ruled Afghanistan before? 2010 % The Taliban are more moderate now The Taliban are the same as before No opinion

28 63 9

2009 % 24 64 12

Q25. At present there are attacks against U.S. and other military forces in some parts of Afghanistan. Under current circumstances, do you think attacks against U.S. military forces or NATO/ISAF in Afghanistan can be justified or cannot be justified?

Justified Not justified No opinion

2010 % 8 76 16

2009* % 25 64 11

2007 % 17 74 8

2006 % 13 78 9

2005 % 30 60 10

* NATO/ISF only in 2009 and 2010 surveys Q26. The Americans are adding 30,000 additional U.S. troops to their force in Afghanistan, and other NATO countries are adding 7,000 more. Is this increase in U.S. and NATO/ISAF forces something you support strongly, support somewhat, oppose somewhat, or oppose strongly? 2010 % Support strongly 22 Support somewhat 39 Oppose somewhat 18 Oppose strongly 18 No opinion 3 Q27. The American president Barack Obama has called for a new strategy with several goals. As I name each of those goals, please tell me how confident you are that the Americans and NATO will accomplish it? 2010

Very Somewhat Not so Not at all confident confident confident confident % % %

Don’t know %

13

Training Afghan forces to be able to take over security in our country starting a year and a half from now. Preventing al Qaeda from establishing bases of operation in Afghanistan. Preventing the Taliban from retaking control of the country. Reducing official corruption in Afghanistan Strengthening Afghanistan’s government so it can better serve all Afghans Improving economic development in our country Preventing al Qaeda and the Taliban from maintaining bases of operation in Pakistan

33

42

14

9

2

23

37

24

13

3

26

35

22

15

3

22

33

23

18

3

27

41

20

10

3

20

42

24

11

4

20

31

26

18

6

Q28. Obama has said he will begin withdrawing U.S. forces 18 months from now. Would it be your preference to have American and NATO/ISAF forces begin to leave Afghanistan 18 months from now, should they leave sooner than 18 months from now, or should they stay longer than that? 2010 % American and NATO/ISAF forces should begin to leave Afghanistan 25 18 months from now They should leave sooner than 18 22 months from now They should stay longer than 18 21 months from now Depends on the security situation 29 No opinion 3 Q29. I’m going to mention some groups. For each, please say how much of a presence it has in this area: A very strong presence, a fairly strong presence, a fairly weak presence or no significant presence at all? Central government led by Hamid Karzai

Very strong presence Fairly strong presence Fairly weak presence

2010 % 41 38 15

2009 % 26 41 27

2007 % 31 43 18

2006 % 23 47 25

14

No significant presence at all No opinion

4 1

5 1

6 1

4 0

Very strong presence Fairly strong presence Fairly weak presence No significant presence at all No opinion

2010 % 28 48 20 3 1

2009 % 25 44 27 4 -

2007 % 26 43 24 5 1

2006 % 21 51 27 1 0


2010 % 32 42 18 5 3

2009 % 29 44 21 4 1

2007 % 28 39 26 6 1

2006 % 30 48 20 2 0


2010 % 9 20 37 31 3

2009 % 7 16 36 39 3

2007 % 5 22 40 31 2

2006 % 4 24 41 30 2


2010 % 3 11 22 62 2

2009 % 3 10 21 63 3

2007 % 3 7 15 71 4

2006 % 2 6 17 74 2

2010 % 2 11 30 53

2009 % 3 11 28 54

2007 % 2 9 21 62

2006 % 3 9 29 55

Provincial government

Local police

Local commanders and their militias

The Taliban

Drug traffickers

Very strong presence Fairly strong presence Fairly weak presence No significant presence at all

15

No opinion

4

5

6

5

2010 % 7 33 29 26 5

2009 % 6 29 39 24 2

2007 % 11 39 26 21 3

2006 % 14 44 22 17 3

United States or NATO or ISAF forces

Very strong presence Fairly strong presence Fairly weak presence No significant presence at all No opinion Foreign jihadis


2010 % 4 14 26 50 6

2009 % 2 12 22 57 8

2007 % 3 11 22 56 8

Foreign aid organizations


2010 % 11 37 28 21 3

2009 % 9 32 36 20 3

The Afghan National Army


2010 % 32 39 15 12 2

Q30. Now, for each group I mention, please tell me how confident are you in its ability to provide security and stability in your area – very confident, somewhat confident, not so confident or not confident at all? Central government led by Hamid Karzai 2010 %

2009 %

2007 %

2006 %

16

Very confident Fairly confident Not very confident Not at all confident No opinion Provincial government

46 37 11 5 1

28 47 19 6 1

35 47 12 5 1

32 47 16 4 0


2010 % 31 45 16 7 1

2009 % 24 45 24 6 1

2007 % 28 46 18 7 1

2006 % 24 52 21 3 0


2010 % 34 42 15 7 2

2009 % 28 47 17 7 1

2007 % 25 42 24 9 1

2006 % 29 50 17 4 0


2010 % 9 20 30 38 3

2009 % 5 13 27 52 3

2007 % 5 21 31 41 2

2006 % 3 17 32 47 1


2010 % 4 7 11 76 2

2009 % 2 5 10 79 3

2007 % 1 7 12 77 3

2006 % 2 4 9 84 2

2010 % 7 40 25 24

2009 % 6 35 27 29

2007 % 12 40 23 22

2006 % 18 49 17 14

Local police


The Taliban

United States or NATO or ISAF forces

Very confident Fairly confident Not very confident Not at all confident

17

No opinion

3

3

3

3

Foreign jihadis


2010 % 4 14 21 56 4

2009 % 1 11 17 67 3

2007 % 2 10 21 63 4

The Afghan national Army


2010 % 43 40 10 6 2

Q31. For each of these same groups, what would you say is its level of support among the people in this area – very strong support, fairly strong support, fairly weak support or no significant support at all? Central government led by Hamid Karzai 2010 % 40 40 14 5 -

2009 % 27 38 26 8 1

2007 % 35 46 14 5 1

2006 % 28 50 19 2 1

Very strong support Fairly strong support Fairly weak support No significant support at all No opinion

2010 % 26 47 19 8 -

2009 % 22 42 26 9 1

2007 % 27 45 20 6 1

2006 % 22 51 22 3 1

Very strong support Fairly strong support

2010 % 28 43

2009 % 23 43

2007 % 24 40

2006 % 26 49

Very strong support Fairly strong support Fairly weak support No significant support at all No opinion Provincial government

Local police

18

Fairly weak support No significant support at all No opinion

20 8 2

23 8 2

25 10 1

21 3 1


2010 % 7 18 31 42 2

2009 % 4 13 29 49 5

2007 % 4 20 34 39 3

2006 % 4 16 36 43 1


2010 % 4 8 14 71 3

2009 % 3 6 13 72 6

2007 % 2 5 13 75 4

2006 % 2 4 13 79 2

2010 % 2 7 22 65 5

2009 % 1 6 17 68 8

2007 % 2 6 15 71 6

2006 % 1 6 19 70 3

2010 % 7 33 33 24 3

2009 % 5 32 32 26 5

2007 % 11 42 22 22 3

2006 % 18 49 18 13 1


Taliban

Drug traffickers

Very strong support Fairly strong support Fairly weak support No significant support at all No opinion United States or NATO or ISAF forces

Very strong support Fairly strong support Fairly weak support No significant support at all No opinion Foreign jihadis

Very strong support Fairly strong support Fairly weak support

2010 % 4 12 25

2009 % 2 12 18

2007 % 3 12 20 19

No significant support at all No opinion

61 8

53 5

58 7

The Afghan National Army 2010 % 42 40 10 6 2


Q32. For each item I read, please tell me if it has or has not occurred in this area?

Car bombs, suicide attacks Snipers, crossfire Kidnappings for ransom Bombing or shelling by U.S., NATO or ISAF forces Civilians killed or seriously hurt by U.S., NATO or ISAF forces Civilians killed or seriously hurt by the Afghan army or police Civilians killed or seriously hurt by the Taliban, Al Qaeda or foreign jihadis

Have occurred nearby here % 33 39 41 30

Have not occurred nearby here % 66 60 56 68

Refuse/ don’t know % 1 1 2 2

35

63

2

25

73

2

43

55

2

Q33. Do you think the use of air strikes by the U.S. and NATO/ISAF forces is acceptable because it helps defeat the Taliban and other anti-government fighters, or unacceptable because it endangers too many innocent civilians?

Acceptable Unacceptable No opinion

2010 % 27 66 7

2009 % 16 77 8

Q34. When civilians are harmed in U.S. and NATO/ISAF air strikes, who do you mainly blame? 2009 2010 % % U.S and NATO/ISAF forces for mistaken targeting 41 36 Anti-government forces for being among civilians 28 35 Both sides equally 27 26 No opinion 4 3

20

Q35. What about when civilians are harmed in engagements on the ground – who do you mainly blame in those cases: U.S. and NATO/ISAF forces for mistaken targeting, antigovernment forces for being among civilians, or both sides equally?

U.S and NATO/ISAF forces for mistaken targeting Anti-government forces for being among civilians Both sides equally No opinion

2010 % 36 36 25 3

Q36. Do you think the Pakistan government is allowing the Taliban to operate within its borders, or trying to stop the Taliban from operating there? 2010 % 53 37 10

Is allowing Trying to stop No opinion

2009 % 67 24 9

2007 % 69 19 11

Q37. What is your opinion of the cultivation of poppies for opium?

Acceptable in all cases Only acceptable if no other way to earn a living Unacceptable in all cases No opinion

2010 % 7 24 65 4

2009 % 4 28

2007 % 8 28

2006 % 5 35

2005 % 5 21

63 4

62 3

58 2

73 1

Q38. Do you think the government should allow opium poppies to be grown, or take measures to kill off opium poppy fields? (IF KILL OFF) Do you support or oppose doing this by spraying plant-killing chemicals from airplanes?

Allow poppies to be grown Kill off poppies and support spraying chemicals Kill off poppies but oppose spraying chemicals Kill off poppies but unsure about spraying chemicals No opinion

2010 % 4 18 43 32 3

2009 % 5 13

2007 % 11 13

48

45

30

26

4

5

Q39. Now I’m going to ask what you think about some people and groups. Is your opinion of …… very favorable, somewhat favorable, somewhat unfavorable, or very unfavorable?

21

The Taliban 2010 % 3 7 13 75 1

2009 % 3 4 12 79 2

2007 % 3 10 15 69 4

2006 % 2 8 13 76 1

2005 % 3 6 15 74 2

2010 % 2 4 13 77 3

2009 % 2 4 10 82 3

2007 % 2 7 11 76 4

2006 % 2 4 7 84 4

2005 % 2 3 6 85 5

2010 % 8 43 21 25 3

2009 % 7 40 25 27 1

2007 % 17 48 11 21 3

2006 % 23 51 11 14 1

2005 % 24 59 8 6 3

Very favourable Somewhat favourable Somewhat unfavourable Very unfavourable No opinion

2010 % 2 13 32 49 3

2009 % 1 7 26 65 1

2007 % 2 17 16 63 1


2010 % 7 32 28 24 9

2009 % 6 32 26 28 7

2007 % 11 38 17 28 6

2010

2009

2007

Very favourable Somewhat favourable Somewhat unfavourable Very unfavourable No opinion Osama Bin Laden

Very favourable Somewhat favourable Somewhat unfavourable Very unfavourable No opinion The United States

Very favourable Somewhat favourable Somewhat unfavourable Very unfavourable No opinion Pakistan

Great Britain

Iran

22


% 18 32 25 20 6

% 19 38 22 19 3

% 14 38 20 25 3


2010 % 17 42 21 14 8

2009 % 17 43 17 14 8

2007 % 22 49 11 12 6

Germany

India


2010 % 29 42 22 14 7

2009 % 27 47 13 8 5

Hamid Karzai


2010 % 55 28 8 5 5

Al Qaeda and other foreign jihadis


2010 % 3 5 19 67 6

Q40. Overall, please say if you think each of these countries is playing a positive, neutral, or negative role in Afghanistan now? Russia 2010

2009 23

% 22 38 31 9

Positive Neutral Negative No opinion

% 14 44 33 8

Iran


2010 % 27 29 39 5

Pakistan


2010 % 9 13 73 5

2009 % 5 6 86 3


2010 % 36 44 13 6

2009 % 41 42 10 6


2010 % 45 18 31 6

2009 % 44 17 36 3


2010 % 28 31 31 10

2009 % 24 28 38 11

Positive Neutral Negative

2010 % 32 39 19

2009 % 36 33 19

India

United States

United Kingdom

Germany

24

No opinion

9

11

Q41. There can be differences between the ways government is set up in a country, called the political system. From the three options I am going to read to you, which one do you think is best for Afghanistan at this time…? 2010 % Strong leader, where one man rules for life and has final say in all political matters Islamic state, where religious authorities have final say in all political matters Democracy, where the people can vote in elections to choose political leaders who then direct political matters No opinion

23 43 32 3

Q42. Regardless of the type of system of government you prefer, how confident are you that a system of freely voting for leaders can work successfully in Afghanistan?

Very confident Somewhat confident Not so confident Not confident at all No opinion

2010 % 30 52 10 5 3

Q43. Did the presidential election held in August increase or decrease your confidence that freely voting for leaders can work in Afghanistan, or did this election make no difference in your opinion on this? 2010 % Increase confidence 41 Decreased confidence 33 Made no difference 22 No opinion 4 Q44. Still thinking about the presidential election, do you think there was fraud in the voting – by which I mean people being improperly turned away from voting places, people selling their voting cards, or people accepting payment for their vote – or do you think the voting was conducted honestly in his regard? PROBE IF FRAUD: Do you think this fraud was widespread, or not so serious?

Yes, voting was conducted honestly No, voting not conducted honestly Of which:

2010 % 39 57

25

Fraud was widespread Fraud was not so serious No opinion

29 28 5

Q45. And in the counting of votes - do you think there was fraud in the vote count, or do you think the vote count was an honest one? PROBE IF FRAUD: Do you think this fraud was widespread, or not so serious?

No fraud Yes there was fraud Of which: fraud was widespread fraud was not so serious No opinion

2010 % 35 59 30 29 6

Q46. What is your reaction to the final outcome of last summer’s presidential election?

Very satisfied Somewhat satisfied Somewhat dissatisfied Very dissatisfied No opinion

2010 % 37 38 13 9 2

Q47. Now I’d like to ask you some questions about women in Afghanistan. Please tell me if each of the following is something you support strongly, support somewhat, oppose somewhat or oppose strongly? Women voting

Support strongly Support somewhat Oppose somewhat Oppose strongly No opinion

2007 % 59 27 8 5 1

2009 % 67 24 4 4 -

2010 % 61 27 9 3 1

Men % 55 29 9 5 1

Women % 66 25 8 1 -

2007 % 38 29 20 11

2009 % 46 30 14 9

2010 % 41 33 18 8

Men % 33 32 21 13

Women % 50 33 14 3

Women holding jobs outside the home

Support strongly Support somewhat Oppose somewhat Oppose strongly

26

No opinion

1

-

1

1

-

2007 % 31 29 26 14 1

2009 % 38 31 18 12 1

2010 % 38 31 20 10 1

Men % 33 28 23 14 2

Women % 43 33 17 6 1

2007 % 60 29 7 4 1

2009 % 68 24 5 2 1

2010 % 66 22 8 4 1

Men % 59 25 8 6 2

Women % 73 18 7 2 -

Women holding government office

Support strongly Support somewhat Oppose somewhat Oppose strongly No opinion Girls education

Support strongly Support somewhat Oppose somewhat Oppose strongly No opinion

Q48. Thinking about the question of women wearing burkas, which statement is closest to your own opinion: A woman’s father or husband should decide if she should wear a burka; or, a woman should decide herself if she should wear a burka or not.

A woman’s father or husband should decide if she should wear a burka A woman should decide herself if she should wear a burka or not No opinion

2010 %

Men %

Women %

50

58

42

47

40

55

3

3

4

27