Analysis of factors underpinning the voting behavior of Sri Lankans under the current economic crisis

Abstract

Voting is the most common and effective way of political participation across the globe, as it showcases the willingness of voters and the fate of a country. It serves as a powerful tool to hold leaders and political parties accountable for their actions. To analyze voting behavior of general public a combination of crucial factors can be taken into account, such as voter satisfaction with recently elected candidates, reasons for voting during next elections, the influence of the ongoing economic crisis on political decision-making and identifying preferred candidate characteristics. To carry out the research, a convenience sampling method was used to select 418 voters and employed Descriptive Statistics and Factor Analysis methods for the data analysis. The Principal Component Analysis method with rotation exhibited the highest level of accuracy in factorization. The findings revealed a prevailing sense of dissatisfaction among voters with the recently elected candidates, while the level of satisfaction was found to be significantly associated with voters' previous voting experiences. The majority believes that the economic crisis has altered their political thinking patterns, and their primary motivation for casting their vote in the next election is to choose a candidate capable of addressing the current economic crisis. Additionally, Factor Analysis revealed five key candidate characteristics that voters prioritize when selecting a suitable candidate.