Dhaka, Feb. 4 -- A new survey has suggested nearly half of the supporters of the Awami League, which is barred from contesting in the election, may back the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in the Feb 12 ballot.

The findings of a joint study conducted by the Communication and Research Foundation (CRF) and Bangladesh Election and Public Opinion Studies (BEPOS) were presented on Wednesday at the National Press Club under the title "Uncovering the Public Pulse: A Nationwide Survey".

According to the survey, 48 percent of Awami League voters indicated support for BNP's Sheaf of Paddy symbol.

More than one third (37.4 percent) of voters who joined the electorate after 2008 expressed preference for Jamaat e Islami.

In a statement issued a...