Voters depend on others' opinion to choose candidate: Survey

A baseline survey of Knowledge, Attitude, Behaviour, Belief and Practices was conducted by the Election Commission

Though casting vote is an individual's decision, around one-third voters depend on opinion of others while deciding whom to vote for, a survey conducted by Election Commission has found.

 

A baseline survey of Knowledge, Attitude, Behaviour, Belief and Practices (KABBP) mandated by the Election Commission during May and June this year, was conducted to understand perceptions and reasons of non-participation of registered voters in the election process.

 

As many as 4,736 respondents of 25 assembly constituencies from various strata including women and minorities were selected for the survey.

 

The survey revealed that 35% respondents see voting as their right, while 19% feel that it is their duty and for 32% it is a combination of their right and duty.

 

As high as 84% have trust on the electronic voting machines (EVM), 4% express anxiety about EVM, while the rest have no view in the issue. Moreover, 69% expressed that EVM with paper trail will increase their trust in EVM any more.

 

More than two-third of respondents said they watch television for news related to politics and election during election.

 

The survey also revealed that there is low registration among the young voters, women and migrants.