The poll, which was commissioned by ICM over the Easter period, interviewed 500 people over the age of 18, from Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi backgrounds. Amongst the 44% of Asian voters who said they would turn out on May 6, people of Indian origin were the most enthusiastic (51%), followed by Bangladeshis (39%) and Pakistanis (38%), who were less keen on exercising their right.

Recent research compiled by the BBC Asian Network, found a significant Asian population in 14 of the Conservatives' top 100 target seats (Asian population of 9% to 43%) and that there are more Asian candidates standing for the main parties than ever before - 89 compared to 68 in 2005 (26% rise). Regardless of this finding, the poll discovered that only 15% of Asian voters said they would vote for an Asian candidate, with four in ten believing that Britain will never have an Asian Prime Minister.

Other findings of the poll published today, revealed that 56% feel that the elected Prime Minister needs to be tougher on immigration and over a quarter of the sample (30%), said they are not convinced that any of the main political parties understood Asian issues. The economy (23%), NHS (20%) and education (16%) were top of Asian voters' agenda, closely followed by foreign policy (10%), law and order (7%), and immigration and asylum (4%).

Finally, when it comes to one of the key tests of Asian hospitality - who would you invite into your home for a curry - Gordon Brown would be most welcome to share a biriyani with 35%, with David Cameron at 28% and Nick Clegg bringing up the rear with just 8%.

This week, the BBC Asian Network's politics reporter Adam Pasternicki takes to the road to visit key Asian communities around the UK. Coming live from various locations including Peterborough, Bradford and Birmingham, he focuses on some of the issues highlighted in the survey as well as outlining some of the key Asian battlegrounds. The network is also recruiting three Asian floating voters to watch all the leader TV debates and give their reaction on who comes out best.