Patna: Caste remains a focal point during elections in Bihar, with political parties highlighting the caste identities of candidates when releasing their lists. However, findings from the State Election Department’s recent survey paint a different picture. According to the Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices (KAP) Inline Survey 2024, only 4.2% of voters prioritize caste when casting their votes.
The survey, conducted after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and preceding assembly polls, reveals that most voters base their decisions on candidates’ public engagement, party loyalty, and family consensus.
Key Voting Trends
The survey highlights the following reasons behind voters’ choices:
- 41.4% of voters made their decision based on family opinion.
- 33.9% voted for candidates due to personal interactions and public relations.
- 32.2% supported candidates aligned with their preferred party.
- Only 4.2% prioritized caste, while 1.1% considered religion as the primary factor.
Reasons for Not Voting
The report also examines why some voters abstain from participating:
- 30.1% cited absence from home as the reason.
- 26.1% did not have voter ID cards.
- 11.2% reported that their names were missing from the voter list.
Increasing Voter Turnout
The survey identifies factors that contribute to higher voter turnout:
- 32.8% believe better candidates encourage more voting.
- 22.4% attribute increased participation to the influence of money power.
- 20.6% credit growing voter awareness.
Election Department’s Next Steps
In light of these findings, the Election Department plans to:
- Launch awareness campaigns to encourage informed voting.
- Address gaps in voter registration by adding missing names to electoral rolls.
- Initiate efforts to reach migrant voters to boost turnout.
Survey Significance
Chief Electoral Officer’s office released the report to shed light on voting patterns and behavior. These findings challenge the narrative that caste dominates voting decisions, suggesting that public engagement and party alignment hold greater sway in shaping Bihar’s electoral outcomes.
