THE IMPACT OF POLITICAL AWARENESS ON VOTER TURNOUT IN URBAN AND RURAL AREAS OF PAKISTAN

Abstract

This study seeks to understand the effect of political awareness in relation to voting in urban and rural Pakistan with particular focus on education level, gender and socioeconomic status. Quantitative research approach was employed, data was gathered from 500 respondents ( 250 from urban and 250 from rural areas) through structured questionnaires with Likert scale on political awareness and Demographic profile on voter behavior. Results of the ANOVA test further showed significant difference in voter turn out across the education levels (F = 9.67, p < 0.001) This research brings out the significance of education and availability of resource in political participation with renewed focus on rural-urban divide in the institutionalized democracy. Based on the findings of this study, the following measures are suggested to increase voter turnout in the country : More focused efforts should be made to mobilize rural women to go out to vote during general elections.