Voters depend on others' opinion to choose candidate: Survey

, Oct 4: Though casting vote is an individual's decision, around one-third

depend on opinion of others while deciding whom to vote for, a survey conducted by

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 per cent respondents see voting as their right, while 19 per cent feel that it is their duty and for 32 per cent it is a combination of their right and duty.

4,736 respondents of 25 assembly constituencies were selected for the survey

As high as 84 per cent have trust on the electronic voting machines (EVM), 4 per cent express anxiety about EVM, while the rest have no view in the issue. Moreover, 69 per cent 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.

PTI