Survey Report

Voting Behaviour and Electoral Preferences in India: A Public Perception Survey

Sabal Bharat Foundation conducted a survey to understand public perceptions regarding voting behaviour, electoral decision-making and emerging political trends in India. The study explored the factors that influence voters while choosing political parties and candidates, attitudes towards women’s participation in electoral politics, the impact of electoral freebies and perceptions regarding the changing fortunes of regional political parties.

The findings provide valuable insights into the priorities and attitudes of citizens towards democratic participation and electoral politics. While the survey is exploratory in nature, it offers an indication of prevailing public opinion on several important political issues.

Voting Preferences

One of the key objectives of the survey was to understand whether voters primarily choose a political party or an individual candidate while casting their vote.

The findings reveal that 64.1% of respondents consider both the political party and the individual candidate before making their electoral choice. This suggests that voters increasingly evaluate both the broader vision of a political party and the credibility, accessibility, and performance of the candidate contesting from their constituency.

Approximately 25.0% indicated that the candidate plays the most important role in influencing their vote, whereas only 7.6% stated that they primarily vote based on the political party. A very small proportion (3.3%) reported making a random or last-minute decision.

These findings indicate that personality, local reputation and constituency-level factors remain important but are often considered alongside party affiliation.

Factors Influencing Electoral Decisions

The survey examined the major considerations that shape voters’ choices while selecting a political party.

The most influential factor was identified as the developmental agenda of the party, with 69.2% of respondents considering it important while deciding whom to support. This was followed by the past performance and record of the party, which influenced 44.0% of respondents.

Around 37.4% indicated that their decision ultimately depends on the candidate contesting from their constituency, reinforcing the importance of local leadership alongside party policies.

A relatively smaller proportion considered poll promises (13.2%) and benefits or favours received from the party (9.9%) as important factors.

Interestingly, only around 1-2% of respondents identified religion, caste, party leadership or ideological considerations as the primary basis for their electoral decision. This suggests that respondents placed significantly greater emphasis on governance and development than on identity-based political considerations.

Women’s Participation in Electoral Politics

The survey found overwhelming public support for greater representation of women in politics.

An impressive 93.5% of respondents agreed that there should be greater participation of women in electoral politics, while only 6.5% disagreed.

This finding reflects increasing public recognition of the importance of gender-inclusive political representation and suggests broad support for encouraging more women to contest elections and participate in public decision-making.

Influence of Electoral Freebies

The survey also explored public perceptions regarding the influence of welfare incentives and electoral freebies, such as free food grains, cash transfers, or similar benefits, on voter behaviour.

A substantial 78.3% of respondents believed that such incentives do influence voting behaviour, whereas 21.7% felt that freebies do not significantly affect electoral decisions.

These findings indicate that a large section of the public perceives welfare incentives as an important factor shaping electoral outcomes, although they may not necessarily view them as the sole determinant of voting behaviour.

Changing Political Landscape

Respondents were asked whether they believe regional political parties are gradually losing their support base to national parties.

Around 60.9% agreed that regional parties are losing ground to national parties, while 30.4% believed this trend is occurring to some extent. Only 8.7% disagreed with this perception.

These responses suggest that many citizens perceive an increasing consolidation of electoral support in favour of national political parties, although regional parties continue to retain influence in several parts of the country.

Key Findings

The survey highlights several notable trends in contemporary electoral behaviour:

• Most voters prefer to evaluate both the political party and the individual candidate before casting their vote.

• Development-oriented governance and the past performance of political parties are viewed as the most important determinants of voting decisions.

• Constituency-level candidates continue to play a significant role in influencing voter preferences.

• There is overwhelming public support for increasing women’s participation in electoral politics.

• A large majority believe that electoral freebies influence voter behaviour.

• Many respondents perceive that national political parties are gradually strengthening their position at the expense of regional parties.

Conclusion

The survey suggests that voters increasingly adopt a balanced approach while making electoral decisions, considering both party performance and the qualities of individual candidates. Governance, development, and accountability appear to be stronger influences on voting behaviour than identity-based considerations.

The strong support for women’s political participation reflects evolving democratic aspirations, while concerns regarding the influence of electoral freebies and the changing balance between regional and national parties point to significant shifts in India’s political landscape.

Although exploratory in nature, the findings provide useful insights into contemporary voter attitudes and can contribute to future discussions on electoral reforms, democratic participation and political behaviour.