Voting Behaviour

Election is a process which enables people to elect their representatives to the legislative
bodies such as Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha or to the institutions of local governances. In India,
citizens belong to different social groups such as castes, classes, genders, tribes, ethnic or
linguistic groups. The differences among them influence the voting behaviour in elections.

Meaning

Voting behaviour defines the pattern of casting vote or the factors that influence people in
casting vote. Its study explains what factors determine or influence voter’s choice of voting.
Study of voting behaviour does not confine to the observation of voting statistics, record and
electoral data. It also covers psychological aspects such as voters’ perception, emotion, etc.
and their relation to political action and institutional patterns.

Determinants of Voting Behaviour in India

There are various determinants of voting behaviour. Political parties use these determinants
to attract voters for winning the election. Voters also cast their votes because of these
determinants. Some of them are as follows,

1. Caste: Caste is among the most dominant determinant in studies of voting behaviour in
India. Although caste has been one of the most effective determinants of voting behaviour
in elections in the post-Independent India, it has become more important since the 1990s.
The main reason for this has been the impact of Mandal Commission which was
introduced by the VP Singh government giving reservation to the OBCs in the central
government institutions and rise of the parties such as the BSP, SP and RJD in north
India. These parties have been identified with Dalits, OBCs or the peasant classes. Some
scholars have argued that increasing participation of various castes, especially the lower
castes, Dalits and OBCs are indicative of democratic upsurge or a silent revolution in
India. Politicisation of caste has made caste an agent of democratic aspiration for the
weaker sections. Political parties take caste into consideration while formulating their
manifestos, programmes and agendas.
The parties which are identified with specific castes maintain their support base among
the principal castes; for instance, the SP, JD (U), RJD are generally identified with the
OBCs, the BSP with the Dalits or the BJP with the upper castes. But on several occasions,
a section of such castes support other parties than their usual choice. This happens
because sometimes some sections of the castes get dissatisfied with their usual choice.
Despite adoption of democratic values which conceive of a society free from casteism,
caste continues to characterise politics in India and voting factors of the Indian populace.
2. Class: Class is reflected in economic issues such as employment or employment
allowance, price rise, land reforms, subsidies, removal of poverty, loan waivers, etc.
These issues have been the focus of campaign in several elections. In 1971 elections, the
slogan of ‘garibi hatao’ was the main factor that determined the voting behaviour in
favour of the Congress. Land reforms and welfare schemes of the Congress were among
other issues that won the Congress support of voters in the elections during the 1950s and
 1960s. In West Bengal, Kerala and Tripura economic policies of the left parties
determined voter behaviour in several elections. In cities such as Delhi, class-related
issues such as concessions in electricity and water bills have determined electorate
behaviour in favour of Aam Adami Party (AAP) in 2020 assembly election.
3. Gender: Voting enables women’s empowerment in terms of exercising choice of their
representatives. The significance of women’s role in voting is highlighted by the fact that
many regional parties include issues concerning women in their agenda. These issues
range from domestic economy, sexual violence, dignity, reservation for women in
legislatures and social oppression. Several parties have included issues about women’s
welfare in their manifestos and programmes. For example, in 2015 assembly election in
Bihar, Nitish Kumar launched anti-liquor policy for welfare for women, especially for
those belonging to the marginalised and backward classes. Nitish Kumar regime’s Cycle
Yojna which enabled girl students to travel to schools influenced voting behaviour of
several voters. Narendra Modi government policies such as ‘Beti Padhao Beti Bachao’
and ‘Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana’ determined women’s voting behaviour in several
elections held in India since 2014. It is important to understand that though the women’s
participation in political activities is increasing, there are far fewer women leaders in
political power than the men.
4. Religion: India is a secular nation that guarantees the right to freedom of religion to
everyone and envisages treating all religions equally. Therefore, to appeal in the name of
religion to get political support is legally prohibited in India. However, in practice,
separating religion from politics becomes impossible. Religion not only affects political
behaviour of people, but religious symbols are also used by political parties and leaders to
muster political support. In India, different political parties have mobilized people on the
basis of religion to get political support. Parties also often select candidates to contest
elections on consideration of religious identities. Moreover, people also often vote in
elections on religious considerations. Thus, religion works as a determinant in voting
behaviour in India. There are few political parties in India that use religious symbols for
political mobilization; for example BJP, Shiv Sena, Shiromani Akali Dal, and AIMIM
(All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen). In a situation marked by religious polarization,
different religious communities tend to aggressively vote for political leaders or parties
based on religious considerations.
5. Language: There are many languages in India and every region can be identified with
specific language and dialects. Language constitutes an important aspect of politics in
India. It has been basis of formation of regional identity, politics of reorganization of
states and identity conflicts in different parts of India. Language also works as a
determinant of voting behaviour. But generally, language alone does not determine voting
behaviour; it does so in alliance with other factors. In some cases, language is seen as the
basis of favour or discrimination of different communities, regions or ethnic groups. For
example, language has been the most effective determinant for voter behaviour in Tamil
Nadu or West Bengal. Similarly, after Assam Accord, Bodo language became an
important determinant in politics of Bodo-dominated areas.
6. Charisma: One important factor of voting behaviour is Charisma. It means that the
charisma of a leader becomes a source of attraction and reverence for the people in large
 numbers. Huge attendance at the meetings addressed by popular leaders like J. Nehru,
Indira Gandhi, A.B Vajpayee, N. Modi and a sudden change in the mind of the voters in
response to the appeals issued by charismatic politicians may be counted as the concrete
evidences of the role of charisma in the electoral behaviour of our people.
7. Money Factor: India is a developing country with a large number of people living below
poverty line. In this context, money plays a vital role in determining voting behaviour of
the people in India. Studies indicate that a rich candidate or party seem to have better
chances of winning elections. In the increasingly high stakes world of election
campaigning, aggressive displays of candidate wealth like cash handouts, alcohol
distribution, big rallies etc. are becoming more common and more extravagant.
8. Local Issues: Local issues often influence the choice of the voters. A regional or a local
party always tries to identify itself with local issues and thereby secures for itself popular
local support. The success of the Jharkhand Muki Morcha (JMM) in Jharkhand is a
classic example which highlights the role of local issues as a determinant of voting
behaviour. The spectacular success of the YSR Congress Party in Andhra Pradesh in 2019
Lok Sabha and Andhra Vidhan Sabha elections was largely determined by its image as a
local party identified with the local interests of the state.