India is the largest democracy in the world. Lower voter turnout is a challenge for inclusive governance. The study explores information technology enabled voting to overcome differences in ethnic voting turnout in India. Study examines the influence of technology diffusion and human capital development on ethnic nature of voter turnout in general elections in India. Voter turnout for 2014 and 2019 general elections, mobile subscribers and female literacy ratio is considered for the study. Secondary data was obtained from website of election commission, telecom regulatory authority of India, Census of India. The study covered twenty-two states of India clustered into five regions. The data was analysed using correlation and ANOVA. The results show a significant difference in the ethnic voter turnout in 2014 and 2019 general elections. Northeast and southern regions had higher voter turnout. Female literacy was found to positively influence voter turnout, mobile subscriber had a negative influence on voter turnout. Technology alone cannot change the ethnic differences in voter turnout in India. Technology has a mediating role in enhancing transparency of e-governance, enhancing access to information, and creating an ecosystem for a level playing field for all regions for inclusive development and participation in elections through cloud-based e-voting for all citizens irrespective of their physical location. Any territory technology enabled voting for electorate (ATEVOTE) is proposed for inclusion of migrant workers in election process.
Key words: Ethnic Voting, Voter Turnout, Technology, India, General elections, ATEVOTE, Northeast, Southern, Mobile Subscribers, Female Literacy.
|
