Dynamics of voting behaviour a case study of Khallikote assembly constituency in Ganjam district Odisha

Abstract

Political participation refers to the active involvement of individuals and groups in the governmental processes affecting their lives. Thus, when citizens themselves play an active role in the process of formulation and implementation of public policies and directions, their activity is called political participation. Conventional mode of political participation involves an active interaction between the citizens and the government. newlineIt has been observed that voting behaviour is a way different people tend to vote. The voting behaviour in any political system identifies the nature of political culture underlying the system. It is an indicator of the contemporary political ethos prevalent in the country. The process of election is a key mechanism of consensus-building and a means of institutionalising conflict among different groups as well. This has many distinctive features and is carried on within a distinctive social and political environment in the country. The study of voting behaviour constitutes a very important empirical investigation into the nature of political participation, political behaviour patterns, motivational factors and other sociological aspects which go into the electoral process. The complex role of elections in the political system is underlined by an examination of the voting behaviour of the electorate. newlineScope and Objectives of the Study newlineIn this study, an attempt has been made to study the voting behaviour of the people of Khallikote Assembly Constituency in Ganjam District, Odisha. This was a general Constituency from 1951-52 elections to the 2004 elections to the State Legislative Assembly. In 2009 and 2014 elections to the State Legislative Assembly it was reserved for the Scheduled Castes. The voters and the political aspirants of this Assembly Constituency form the focus of this study. newline