India, April 27 -- With the Canadian election less than 48 hours away, it is increasingly evident that voters are favouring leadership, specifically Prime Minister Mark Carney, over partisan party support.

In a survey published on Saturday, the non-profit, non-partisan Angus Reid Institute (ARI) underscored this point. Overall, the ruling party is leading with 44% backing as against 40% for the opposition Conservatives. However, it noted, "Also notable, the extent to which leadership - not party choice - has driven this campaign. Consider that when respondents were asked to consider how they'd vote if party, and not leader, were the deciding factor, electoral math is rearranged. Under such a scenario, the CPC would hold its vote at 40%, ...