Abstract / Excerpt:

This study examines the factors associated with voting behaviors of Mandaya electorates in Barangay Don Salvador Lopez, Mati City, Davao Oriental, Philippines. A factorial-correlation research design was applied in this study to describe the socio-demographic characteristics and voting behaviors of Mandaya electorates in terms of casting of vote and expression of preference for a candidate. Primary data were gathered through the use of survey questionnaire involving information of participants' socio-demographic characteristics and voting behaviors. Respondents were selected through simple random sampling. Secondary data sources included the use of focus group discussion (FGD) and observation to obtain information on other factors that affect the voting behavior of Mandaya electorates. Analysis between socio-demographic and voting behavior show significant results in different variables. Three themes, namely, background, services, and deeds, emerged from the FGD on factors that affect the voting behavior of Mandaya electorates. Furthermore, 2 themes, namely, anxiety and advantages of PCOS machines, also emerged from voting behaviors of the said electorates towards automated elections. The study concludes that the Mandaya are one of the vulnerable populations of the Philippines; the advent of automated elections influences their voting behavior during the past election, and even on the upcoming election; and personal characteristics and abilities of the candidate such as knowledge, experience, honesty, morality, compassion and leadership ability seemed to define the voting behavior of Mandaya electorates in terms of expression of preference for a candidate during campaign period. The study recommends that social scientists, social psychologists and political psychologists should also conduct researches on the political aspect of indigenous groups as well on voting behavior, vote decision vis-a-vis electoral fraud to be able to create a clear picture of a Mandaya voter; a thorough orientation on the use of PCOS machine before election should be conducted to Mandaya electorates; and finally, future researches is also recommended to gain more insight and deeper understanding of the electorates' voting behavior.

Info

Source Institution	Ateneo de Davao University
Unit	Social Science and Education
Authors	Bauyot, Mary Fil M.
Page Count	102
Place of Publication	Davao City
Original Publication Date	March 1, 2013
Tags	Mandaya, PCOS, Voting Behaviors

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