Determinants of voter turnout during parliamentary and civic elections of Mombasa county-Kenya

Abstract

This study investigated determinants of voter turnout during parliamentary and civic elections of Mombasa County, Kenya. The statement of the problem was the growing concern of the determinants of voter turnout during elections prompting the investigation to find solution to improve voter turnout during parliamentary and civic elections in Mombasa County. The research was done to assess whether voter's demographic characteristics influence voter turnout during parliamentary and civic elections. This was revealed when the researcher investigated on the level of education of the voters within the targeted area.

Occupation was also put on a weighing machine where the researcher intended to assess whether it influenced voter turnout. The researcher also established the extent to determine whether socio-political factors influenced voter turnout during parliamentary and civic elections. This was to find out whether Civic education was also checked to find out if the voters had enough knowledge on voting process and whether they understood the importance of voting. This was also to find whether religion influenced voter turnout. That religion would determine if the churches and mosques educated their members on the importance of voting. Violence during the previous elections which might . have influenced voter turnout was also highlighted.

Security and demonstrations during elections were also put into consideration. This was so in order to determine means and ways of minimizing security cases, hence enhancing the extend to examine how institutional factors were the election process, nomination rules and registration process. That was to find out if the stated factors contributed to the low voter turnout in Mombasa County. Other theories related to the topic also highlighted to determine what other researchers found out and whether their findings had some impact on the topic in searching for solution of the problem. All the findings would be used by the researcher to make recommendations and suggestions to the relevant institutions for intervention measures.