Voting Behaviour and Its Determinants: A Case of Lower Subansiri District, Arunachal Pradesh

T
his paper provides a concise overview of the unique dynamic of
voting behaviour in the Lower Subansiri District of Arunachal
Pradesh, a diverse and culturally rich state in North East India.
Voting behaviour refers to ‘the individual’s action and decision
making process that encompasses when casting their vote in the
election’. As ‘voting behaviour’ often reflects the social dynamics,
trends, and changes, the present study attempts to shed light on
the understanding of how voters decide to vote for a candidate, and
why they do so. It also aims to provide insight into a distinctive
pattern that influences electoral choices among voters. Using a mixed
(quantitative and qualitative) methodologies approach, the study
seeks to shed light on various factors influencing electoral outcomes.
An in-depth analysis of historical, cultural, political, and socio
economic factors specific to Lower Subansiri of Arunachal Pradesh
was carried out. Our findings show that though Arunachal Pradesh
is comparatively young in terms of political process, Lower Subansiri
shows a primordial tribal form of managing socio-political affairs that
has been long functioning and rooted, the reason for distinct political
attitudes, values, and beliefs still exist in present tribal politics. Tribal
affiliations such as clan, kinship, money culture, etc. are deeply
rooted in tribal politics which is visible in electoral outcomes.
Further, this paper also discusses the importance of understanding
‘voting behaviour’ aiding to offer insights for policymakers and
political analysts and contributing to policy implications.