The International journal of analytical and experimental modal analysis ISSN NO:0886-9367 Determinants of Voting Behaviour in the Assembly Elections in West Bengal: Theoretical Perspective Dr. Md Motibur Rahman1 Guest Faculty, Department of Geography Rajendra College, Jai Prakash University, Chapra Email: [email protected] Rumana Khatun2 Research Scholar, Department of Geography Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh Email: [email protected] Abstract: Voting bahaviour is a form of electoral behaviour which clearly understands voter’s behaviour that can explain how and why political decision was made. Voting behaviour is also known as political psychology of the electors. The study of determinants of voting behaviour constructs a very significant area of empirical observation. Man is a rational animal in the philosophical sense of term, but he is not so rational in terms of economic and political behaviour. The study of voting behaviour displays the important facts that the behaviour of man is influenced by many socio-economic and political factors and also influences on the minds of the voters. The main purpose of the present study is to focus on the concept and definition of voting behaviour and highlight the significant factors that determine the voting behaviour in the assembly elections in West Bengal. Key Words:Assembly Election, Determinants, Electoral Geography, Voting Behaviour. Introduction Geography provides accurate, orderly, and rational description and interpretation of the variable character of the earth surface. It is that discipline that seeks to describe and interpret the variable character from place to place of the earth as the world of man (Richard Hartshorne, 1959).Geography deals with the spatial distribution of the phenomena and the processes through which such phenomena gets generated. Election is one of such phenomenon. Electoral geography thus deals with not only the distribution of votes but also the culture which leads to voting or choosing a political party.The study of voting behaviour was started in the early 18th century (Jenson, 1969). Gosnel (1930) has attempts made use of aggregate data analysis, using actual election return by geopolitical units i.e. wards, districts etc. Voting behaviour reflect the ways in which people that tend to vote in election and why they vote in that particular way. It also Volume XII, Issue IX, September/2020 Page No:1752 The International journal of analytical and experimental modal analysis ISSN NO:0886-9367 reflects the voter‟s choices, preferences, and ideologies during an election. According to Article 326 of the Indian constitution grants Universal adult Suffrage to citizen those are above 18 years of age. V.O. Key, Jr., and Frank Munger (1955, p.4) have observed that voting behaviour is a continuing affirmation of pre-existing political commitments which were forget under the pressure of a major social trauma. The study of voting behaviour has become an important field in the research of electoral geography. Election plays a crucial role in the scale of ideology in channeling conflicts safely into constitutional arenas. Electoral geography has come to study the geographical analysis of referendum, votes in international, national and regional bodies. Electoral geography is the study of the spatial voting behaviour as well as voting patterns and the study of spatial distribution of political phenomena. Vote caste is generally measures through attitudes, perceptions and biases of electorates. In other words, the study of voting behaviour is highly promising in three ways, first the act of voting itself is considered as an open form of political participation and objective manifestation of the political makeup of the voters. During an election, voter‟s ideology, political orientation, judgment and attitude and expectations is an effort to identify one of the most viable alternatives. Secondly, the voting behaviour shows the numerical strength of the various political forces which struggling for power and dominance in the constituency and third, the voting preferences used as a check against the hidden of truth among the respondents their ideologies and political attitudes. Objectives of the Study The geographical analysis of determinants of voting behaviour in the assembly elections of West Bengal is an important task. The specific objectives of the present study are- I. To study the concept and definition of voting behaviour. II. To analyze socio-economic and political factors of voting behaviour Data Base Election stands as the backbone of the democracy where people select their political representatives. The present research analysis is based on the secondary source of data.The data related to the socio-economic and political factors of voting behaviour have obtained from the Election Commission of India, New Delhi, Chief Electoral office, Kolkata, CSDS (Centre for the study of Developing Society).Census of India, District Statistical Handbook. The secondary data also collected from various published and unpublished research journals, articles, magazines, Volume XII, Issue IX, September/2020 Page No:1753 The International journal of analytical and experimental modal analysis ISSN NO:0886-9367 M.phil dissertation, Ph.D. thesis, books, etc. The information regarding the contemporary local issues, determinants of voting behaviour , party strategies and election manifestoes have derived from the contemporary newspaper mainly the Anandabazar Patrika, Pratidin, Bartaman, Times of India, Hindustan Times, the Hindu. Significances of the Study The electoral studies give electoral maps that clearly shows where the votes goes favour or against the party.Such studies especially focus on the spatial dimension of electoral politics and very helpful to make a democratic form of government.Through such studies, we can easily identify the important socio-economic and political factors of voting behaviour which helps to politician for their electoral success. Study Area The study area West Bengal is located in the eastern part of India. In terms of India‟s political scenario, it becomes one of the important state. West Bengal is situated between 85° 50‟ and 89° 50‟ East longitude, and 21° 10‟ and 27° 38‟ North latitude. The state has a total area of 88,750 Sq.kms. (34,267 sq mile). According to 2011 population census, the total population of West Bengal is 90.32 million, population density is 1028 persons per sq km, literacy rate is 74.08%, sex ratio is 950 females per 1000 of males. West Bengal is a home of several religious people i.e. Hindu (70.54%), Muslim (27.01%), Christian (0.72%), Sikh (0.07%), Buddhist (0.31%), Jain (0.07%). It has 31.87 percent urban population and rural population is 68.13 percent, Agriculture is the main dominant occupation of the people of West Bengal. Fig: 1 Study Area: West Bengal Administrative Division Volume XII, Issue IX, September/2020 Page No:1754 The International journal of analytical and experimental modal analysis ISSN NO:0886-9367 Concept and Definitions of Voting Behaviour The word „voting behaviour‟ is not a new concept. In the time of ancient Greece, voting was not much for elections to hold offices that were packed on the jury principles of arbitrary selection. But it was used as decisions of propositions setup before democratic assembly. Voting bahaviour is a form of electoral behaviour which clearly understands voter‟s behaviour that can explain how and why political decision was made. Voting behaviour is also known as political psychology of the electors. Thus, voting behaviour is a means of accumulate individual preferences in to collective decisions during an election, the action of officially indicating one‟s choice of candidate or political party in an election. Voting behaviour is acted as the pedestal of the political pyramid in a democratic election that decisions make at the foundation has the capability to overthrow those at the top. Therefore, voting behaviour perhaps be looked upon as „the basic decision making process in a democracy‟ which describe the process either citizens choose candidates for public offices. In other words, voting behaviour is a means of transforming numerous individuals‟ opinions in to coherent and collective basis for decisions. In an election, voters tend to choose candidates whom they perceived as benefit them the most and having a reasonable for chance of winning, for this voting is a good illustration of rational choice.According to Plano and Riggs “Voting Behaviour is a field of study concerned with the ways in which people tend to vote in public election and the reasons why they vote as they do.” In other words of Samuel S. Eldersveld“voting behaviour involves an analysis of individual psychological processes (perception, emotion, and motivation) and their relation to political action”. Factors Affecting Voting Behaviour in the Assembly Elections in West Bengal The main determinants of voting behaviour in West Bengal assembly elections are vast and wide ranging and differ from one person to another person. There are three schools of thought which dominate analyzes of voting behaviour such as sociological school of thought, psychological school of thought and thought based on rational choice theory. The sociological thought of voting behaviour focused on the influence of social factors whereas the psychological factors studies the behaviour of voters based on their party affiliations and rational choice model utilizes variables affects choice such as rationality, uncertainty and information. Voting behaviour in West Bengal assembly election is influenced by various factors such as caste, religion, language and community, current events and policy or ideology, election campaigns, Volume XII, Issue IX, September/2020 Page No:1755 The International journal of analytical and experimental modal analysis ISSN NO:0886-9367 local issues. So, the voting behaviour studies have identifies the following main political and socio-economic factors that are the key determinants of voting behaviour in West Bengal. I. Religion: Religion as one of the most important predictors of vote choice and work as a determinant of voting behaviour (Lazarsfeld et al 1944).