Modern Validity of Historical Factors on Voter Intention and Its Basic Patterns in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Sri Lanka is a democratic country with universal franchise and a representative government. The election system was introduced to this nation during British colonial rule. Apart from education and elitism, the main factors considered in nominating natives by the English rulers to the legislative council were race, religion, family, and caste. Due to this, ethnicity, religion, family, and caste emerged as historical factors affecting voter intention. The purpose of this study is to identify the modern validity of those historical factors and their basic patterns. The study employed the library survey method. Qualitative data obtained from primary, secondary, and literary sources were examined through content analysis. The study sample was the 16 main national elections held in Sri Lanka from 1947 to date. The analysis found that the historical factors of ethnicity, religion, family, and caste that affected the intentions of Sri Lankan voters in the first national election in 1947 still have modern validity 75 years later. In the data analysis, it was further revealed that Sinhala in the ethnicity factor, Buddhism in the religion factor, the Senanayake, Bandaranaike, and Rajapakse family trio in the family factor, and the Govigama caste in the caste factor all affect voter intention of Sri Lanka. Thus, the fact that Sri Lankan voters consider the factors of ethnicity, religion, family, and caste that were considered for voting in 1947 even after 75 years is a matter that should be taken into consideration with a deep subject approach. It shows that Sri Lankan voter intention has not reached the developmental stage regarding quality. Accordingly, it is recommended in this study that appropriate strategies should be identified and launched to improve the political literacy of Sri Lankan voters to free them from such backward electoral motives.