ERBIL, Kurdistan Region-- Over 82 percent of eligible voters support the referendum and Kurdish bid for independence although 34 percent of the respondents believe the timing is not ideal for the process to go ahead, according to a new poll that was announced on Saturday.  

The opinion survey conducted by the Peace and Security Center at the American University in Kurdistan Region says the poll covered both Kurdistan Region's four provinces of Halabja, Erbil, Sulaimani, Dohuk and the so called disputed territories outside Kurdistan Region which are currently controlled by Kurdish Peshmerga forces.

Three main questions have been posed to the respondents in both areas; "Will you vote in the referendum? Will you vote for independence? Is the timing right for independence?" to which over 80 percent have given positive answers.

Respondents in disputed territories have been asked if they prefer their cities to integrate with Kurdistan Region to which a majority has responded positively.

The level of support for the referendum and its outcome varies among Kurdish cities according to the poll as 97 percent of respondents in Dohuk have given their support with 67 percent in Sulaimani province.

Kurdish authorities have said the much anticipated referendum is likely to take place before the end of this year and include disputed territories outside the administration of Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), among others the oil city of Kirkuk and the Yezidi town of Shingal.