Does Education Affect Voter Turnout? An Empirical Analysis of the 1990s House of Representative Elections Of Nepal

Abstract

In democratic political system people’s participation is very important for its functioning. Citizens’ participation in democracy comes into different forms. Taking part in local and national level elections and cast vote is one of the common forms of people’s participation in democracy. Democratic practices have been evolving in Nepal. In the 1990s three parliamentary elections were held where Nepalese people used their voting rights. Voter turnout in elections is very important for its legitimacy. Education status of citizens is one of the factors that affects voter turnout. The present article has explored the effect of education on voter turnout of the 1991, 1994 and 1999 parliamentary elections (Pratinidhi Sabha elections) of Nepal taking the 75 district level data. The results are in harmony with the modernization and socialization theory of the linkage between education and democracy.

Key words: Democracy; People’s participation; Education;  Voter turnout; Parliamentary elections of Nepal

Economic Journal of Development Issues

Vol. 9 and 10 (2008 & 2009) Combined Issue

Page: 115-136