Factors Affecting Voting Behavior among Youth in Luapula Province, Zambia

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the youth voting behavior considering how cultural factors, ethnicity, intergenerational factors, political ideologies and legal literacy determined voting behavior of the youth. Methodology: A Questionnaire was used to collect quantitative and qualitative data by including closed and open-ended questions. The quantitative data collected was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) while the qualitative data was analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings were presented in form of tables, percentages and bar charts. Results: The findings revealed that the youth were to an extent influenced by culture in their voting patterns. The patriarchal nature of the communities in the country determined voting behavior in that mostly men were voted in. Conclusion: The study concluded that the level of literacy influenced voting behavior whereby, those in leadership and literate had a great influence on the choices made by the less literate. Recommendation: The study recommends increased dialogue and leadership training programs for the youth. Efforts to reclaim credibility of the electoral system and process should be made by the government through proper implementation of laws and civic education.