By Charlie Charalambous
DISY yesterday claimed it had conclusive poll evidence that independent candidate George Iacovou would not be a first round election winner as he predicts.
Disy leader Nicos Anastassiades told a party meeting he had the results of four polls which shot down what he called Iacovou’s “easy victory” banter.
A poll commissioned by Sigma indicates that Diko and Akel will not be able to muster sufficient support to ensure victory for Iacovou on Sunday, February 8.
Both Diko and Akel have confidently predicted their man will win on the first ballot.
In retaliation to Disy sniping, Iacovou issued a statement saying that the Sigma poll showed he was leading the election race and his share of the vote was rising.
He said the poll not only confirmed he was in front but indicated he would remain on top, right up to polling day.
The Sigma poll, conducted by Cyprus College, gives Iacovou (at 34.6%) a narrow lead over President Glafcos Clerides (33.9%).
“The message of the poll is clear. Cyprus wants a new president, a president who will untie the unacceptable pledges made by Clerides,” a Iacovou press release said yesterday.
Although Iacovou may be slightly ahead, Anastassiades said that Akel’s support “has never been lower”. The Sigma poll reported that 11% of Akel stalwarts would vote for United Democrat George Vassiliou instead.
But the poll’s findings also indicate that Diko cannot be confident that a majority of its supporters will toe the party’s pro-Iacovou line.
The poll shows that only 48% of Diko voters will plump for Iacovou – and this was before Friday’s acrimonious expulsions.
What should also worry the Diko leadership is that 19% of its supporters said they would support rebel Alexis Galanos, while 9% said they would back Clerides in the first round.
By comparison, Disy support for Clerides is rock solid at 98% of the party faithful backing him.
More significantly, the Sigma poll indicates that Clerides will attract the lion’s share of the first-time voter (35%, compared to 21% in favour of Iacovou).
As 18-year-olds are allowed to vote this time round, the percentage of first-time voters has swelled to 11% of the electorate.
And with a sizeable number of voters still undecided (nearly 10%) the 1998 presidential election looks set to go to the wire.
