Abstract

This paper explores family affiliation as a determinant in describing voting behaviour in NA-8 Charsadda. The study argues that family affiliation is an important determinant of electoral politics in district Charsadda. In order to predict the electoral consequences of electoral behaviour in the universe, a survey has been conducted using questionnaire as a tool of data collection. In this regard, a sample of 304 respondents has been selected through multistage, random and systematic sampling from the voter list. Analysis has been made via descriptive statistics including frequency distribution and percentage and inferential statistics including the Chi-square test and probability value. The primary data reveal that (67.9%) of the respondents supported the view that the electoral preferences have been made on the basis of family affiliation in district Charsadda in the 2013 general elections.

Key Words

District Charsadda, General Elections 2013, Family Affiliations, Biradari, Voting Behaviour

Introduction

Family affiliation, family ties, biradari, and kinship all these terminologies convey the same sense. This paper is going to focus on the determinant of family affiliations in the electoral politics of NA-8 District Charsadda. Family affiliation is also one of the decisive determinants in the electoral studies of voting behaviour. (Birnir 2007, 34) According to Ellen Lust and Tarek Masoud the factor of the family affiliation or kinship is playing a crucial role in the voting behaviour of Jordan. Accordingly, about 87 percent of the peoples surveyed in 2007 have preferred to vote those candidates who have a personal close relationship with them. (Ellen Lust and Tarek Masoud n.d.)

The determinant of the family affiliation is also playing a key role in Africa. Here the contesting candidates get in contact with the head or lead of the family for getting his political support in the form of stamping the ballot in his favour. (Morrison, Are African Voters Really Ethnic or Clientelistic? Survey Evidence from Ghana 2008) In the case of Nigeria, family affiliation is too important in shaping voting preferences. The decisive role is to be played by the head of the family as whom or which political party to be preferred to vote followed by the rest of the members of his family. (Sheriff Ghali Ibrahim September 2015), Max Visser had given the name of the verbal community to the family affiliations in which the voting behaviour is influenced directly without any delay by family ties, friends, peers, co-workers and neighbours etc. (Visser Spring 1996).

In Pakistan, the factor of family affiliation is also important in moulding electoral behaviour. According to Mughees Ahmed in Pakistan voting behaviour is impacted more by the Biradari system which is based on familial relationship. Accordingly, the Biradari system seems to play a decisive role as like the pressure groups in Punjab which is important for democracy. (M. Ahmed 2011) In Pakistan, the Biradari system is applicable not only in the elections on the national level, but it plays a prominent role in the local body elections as well. According to Fozia Naseem the biradari system even play a stronger role in voting behaviour than partisanship. This is because the local bodies' elections are contested only on the basis of Biradarism in Pakistan. (Naseem, Social system influences Political System A comparative study of sub-continent Jan 2011), The consequences of the research survey conducted in District Layyah for finding the voting behaviour in the 2013 general election demonstrates that the Biradarism is playing an explicit role in moulding public voting behaviour more than any other determinant. (Faisal Azeez, Biradrism As Stronger Determinant Of Voting Behavior; Exploring The Voting Behavior Of People Towards Different Political Parties During Election 2013 in District Layyah Dec. 2014) Andrew determines biradari with reference to the 1993 elections in the Punjab. He posits that biradari is important more in northern and central Punjab than any other areas in the province. (Wilder 1999, 177-187) In family politics, others have claimed that in Pakistan family affiliations have played a distinguished role in giving a heavy mandate to the party or candidate, which is supported by the elders of the family. (Jamil Ahmed Sheikh Dec-31 -2015 )

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa the determinant of family affiliation is too important, especially in rural areas. Shakeel Ahmad determines voting behaviour in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from 1988-1999. He states that biradari is important only in northern and southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa more particularly in rural areas. (Ahmad 2010, 328) The determinant of family affiliation is also important in district Charsadda. Most of the electoral decisions are made by the head of the family. (Shah, Determinants of Turnout in Elections: A Case Study of 2008 General Elections in District Charsadda Summer 2015)

Hypothesis

Voting Behaviour is determined by family affiliation in district Charsadda.




Research Questions

1. How much the peoples of district Charsadda are politically active?

2. How far family affiliations are responsible for determining the voting behaviour in district Charsadda?

Methodology

As conducting research for finding the voting behaviour in electoral studies is empirical research which is mostly comprised quantitative, analytical and comparative methods. For covering the theoretical and literature framework, the researcher has accumulated secondary data in the form of books, journals, and published reports of elections. Similarly, for covering the empirical data a questionnaire has been developed. The respondents for filling the questionnaires have been selected from the voters' list. The voters' lists were selected with the lottery method also known as 'random sampling' while the respondents from the voter list were selected with the multi-stage systematic sampling. Then the data was framed, tubulised, categorized and finally analyzed on the basis of various independent variables.




Criteria for Operational Measurement of Electoral Variables

The electoral study of the voting behaviour is confined to the operational measurement of family affiliations. This determinant has been asked in four different questions. These questions have been analyzed on the basis of various independent variables including gender, age, literacy, monthly income, profession and area as rural/urban. Then each question has been interpreted in SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) that apply the Chi-square test and the p-value, which is given out along with the frequencies and percentages of each analysing variable. The average percentage of every voting determinant has been calculated which points out the applicability of all five voting determinants. The criteria used for measuring the extent of application of the determinants are given as under:

? “Limited Extent” is the average percentage of 40% and below.

? “Some Extent” is the average percentage of 60% and below.

? “Greater Extent” is the average percentage of 60% and above.




Sampling Method

The universe of the study is confined to the constituency of NA-8 in District Charsadda. This universe includes all the registered voters in NA-8 for the general election of 2013. The total number of the registered voters, according to the voters’ lists, of the constituency of NA-8 is 329029. This number becomes 48-49% of the total registered voters in two constituencies in District Charsadda. The number 329029 consisted of 193003 males and 136026 females. In NA-8 there are total twenty-four Union Councils in which four are urban and the remaining 20 are rural. From the entire UCs' representative sampling was obtained through random sampling.




Sample Size

For conducting the research work the size of the representative sample was composed of 304 voters which were selected on the basis of multi stages/phases sample techniques given as under:




PHASE 1: There are total 24 Union Councils in the constituency of NA-8. In these UCs there are four urban and 20 rural. Two Union Councils from each rural and urban area have been brought under consideration that were selected by random method. The names of these Union Councils are Ziam, Kangra, Municipal Committee (MC) Tangi and MC I Shabqadar. The first two are rural UC’s and the remaining two are urban. 




PHASE 2: In every UC there are various lists that are also known as blocs and each having a specific bloc code was randomly selected. In the second phase the total 304 voters were equally distributed in rural and urban UCs' which come to be 152 for rural and the same for urban as well. These 152 voters were further divided in their respective urban and rural union councils consisting of 76 voters from each UC. Then the 76 voters comprised an equal number of male and female respondents that is 38. These voters, from each list, in the same UC, have been selected by multi-stage systematic sampling. The first voter in each list and every UC was selected while using the random numbers table.

In all the 304 respondents a considerable number of voters did not respond or did not return the questionnaire. A total number of the 258 questionnaires completed in all respects were successfully returned. Among all these respondents, a prominent number of the males, youngsters having age 18-30, illiterates, the sorry group of monthly income, the others' group of the profession and the rural respondents are included.

Family Affiliation and its Operational Measurement

The study of the familial affiliations as a voting determinant argues that family affiliations are applicable to a greater extent (67.9%) in the electoral politics of NA-8 district Charsadda. The operationalization of the theory of family affiliation in light of the empirical data collected in NA-8. Family affiliations as a voting determinant have been analysed in the light of various close-ended questions. The close-ended questions that have been asked from the respondents are mentioned as under.

1. In the 2013 general elections up to which extent 

you have casted your precious vote according to the decision of the head of the family?

2. In the 2013 general elections up to which extent you have casted your precious vote on the basis of family connections?

3. In the 2013 general elections up to which extent you have casted your vote on the basis of family disputes?

4. In the 2013 general elections up to which extent you have casted your vote for the resolution of family disputes?

These questions are analyzed on the basis of various independent variables including gender, age, literacy, monthly income, profession and area. The details of the analysed questions along with the frequencies and percentages are tabulated as under. 

Family Affiliations and Obedience to the Head of the Family

Table 1. Gender Consideration

	Greater Extent	Some Extent	Limited Extent	Absolutely No	Total
Male	54	41	7	39	141
	38.3%	29.1%	5.0%	27.7%	100.0%
Female	54	32	10	21	117
	46.2%	27.4%	8.5%	17.9%	100.0%
Total	108	73	17	60	258
	41.9%	28.3%	6.6%	23.3%	100.0%

Chi-Square Value= 4.848, P-Value= 0.183          

 




A maximum number of the female respondents (46.2%) followed by the male respondents (38.3%) showed full political obedience to the head of the family. This shows that females have more supported family affiliations as a voting determinant as compare to males. The Chi-square test provides an insignificant p-value.




 

Table 2. Age Consideration

	Greater Extent	Some Extent	Limited Extent	Absolutely No	Total
18-30	55	28	11	28	122
	45.1%	23.0%	9.0%	23.0%	100.0%
31-40	23	25	2	20	70
	32.9%	35.7%	2.9%	28.6%	100.0%
41 & Above	30	20	4	12	66
	45.5%	30.3%	6.1%	18.2%	100.0%
Total	108	73	17	60	258
	41.9%	28.3%	6.6%	23.3%	100.0%

Chi-Square Value= 8.733, P-Value= 0.189          




In the case of age consideration greater number of respondents having age 41 and above (45.5%) sharply followed by respondents of the age group 18-30 (45.1%) have strongly followed the elders of the family while casting the ballot. This shows that the greater is the age the greater will be the obedience to the familial head. Chi-square test provides an insignificant p-value.




Table 3. Literacy Consideration                            

	Greater Extent	Some Extent	Limited Extent	Absolutely No	Total
Literate	42	37	10	39	128
	32.8%	28.9%	7.8%	30.5%	100.0%
Illiterate	66	36	7	21	130
	50.8%	27.7%	5.4%	16.2%	100.0%
Total	108	73	17	60	258
	41.9%	28.3%	6.6%	23.3%	100.0%

Chi-Square Value= 11.262, P-Value= 0.010

 




So for as literacy is concerned a heavy number of the illiterate respondents (50.8%) followed by the literates (32.8%) have stamped the ballot in following the decisions of the familial head. This shows that the greater is the literacy the independent will be the voting decisions. The Chi-square test provides a significant p-value.




 

Table 4. Monthly Income Consideration

	Greater Extent	Some Extent	Limited Extent	Absolutely No	Total
15000 & Below	34	21	3	14	72
	47.2%	29.2%	4.2%	19.4%	100.0%
16000 & Above	11	16	3	11	41
	26.8%	39.0%	7.3%	26.8%	100.0%
Sorry	63	36	11	35	145
	43.4%	24.8%	7.6%	24.1%	100.0%
Total	108	73	17	60	258
	41.9%	28.3%	6.6%	23.3%	100.0%

Chi-Square Value= 6.715, P-Value= 0.348          

 




Maximum number of the respondents having monthly income 15000 and below (47.2%) followed by the group which have not mentioned their monthly income (43.4%) have full trust in following their elders. This shows that the lower is the monthly income the greater will be the political trust in their elders. The Chi-square test provides an insignificant p-value.




 

Table 5. Professional Consideration

	Greater Extent	Some Extent	Limited Extent	Absolutely No	Total
Government Servant	10	10	3	10	33
	30.3%	30.3%	9.1%	30.3%	100.0%
Private Service Sector	1	4	1	2	8
	12.5%	50.0%	12.5%	25.0%	100.0%
Businessmen & Shopkeepers	1	3	1	6	11
	9.1%	27.3%	9.1%	54.5%	100.0%
House Wife	47	26	9	14	96
	49.0%	27.1%	9.4%	14.6%	100.0%
Others	49	30	3	28	110
	44.5%	27.3%	2.7%	25.5%	100.0%
Total	108	73	17	60	258
	41.9%	28.3%	6.6%	23.3%	100.0%

Chi-Square Value= 21.483, P-Value= 0.044

               




In case of profession greater number of the businessmen and shopkeepers respondents (54.5%) has no trust in the political decisions of the heads of the families. This group is followed by the professionals of the private service sector (50.0%) that are satisfy to some extent with the political decisions of the head of the family. This shows that majority of the businessmen and shopkeepers have lack of confidence in the political decisions of the elders. The Chi-square test provides a significant p-value.




 

Table 6. Area Consideration 

	Greater Extent	Some Extent	Limited Extent	Absolutely No	Total
Rural	80	36	4	13	133
	60.2%	27.1%	3.0%	9.8%	100.0%
Urban	28	37	13	47	125
	22.4%	29.6%	10.4%	37.6%	100.0%
Total	108	73	17	60	258
	41.9%	28.3%	6.6%	23.3%	100.0%

Chi-Square Value= 48.881, P-Value= 0.000        

 




So for as area is concerned greater number of the rural respondents (60.2%) are satisfied with the heads of the families and have voted greatly in their obedience. In the same way the urban respondents (37.6%) are not agree with the political decisions of the familial heads. This shows that the greater is the ruralisation the greater is the trust in the political decisions of the heads of the family. The Chi-square test provides a significant p-value.

Family Affiliations and Voting on Family Connections

Table 7. Gender Consideration

Gender	Greater Extent	Some Extent	Limited Extent	Absolutely No	Total
Male	59	32	8	42	141
	41.8%	22.7%	5.7%	29.8%	100.0%
Female	44	40	6	27	117
	37.6%	34.2%	5.1%	23.1%	100.0%
Total	103	72	14	69	258
	39.9%	27.9%	5.4%	26.7%	100.0%

Chi-Square Value= 4.426, P-Value= 0.219          

 




Maximum number of the male respondents (41.8%) followed by the female respondents (37.6%) acknowledged their voting on the basis of the family connections. This shows that male respondents are more serious about the family relationships. The Chi-square test provides an insignificant p-value.




Table 8. Age Consideration                                         

	Greater Extent	Some Extent	Limited Extent	Absolutely No	Total
18-30	55	31	4	32	122
	45.1%	25.4%	3.3%	26.2%	100.0%
31-40	23	18	6	23	70
	32.9%	25.7%	8.6%	32.9%	100.0%
41 & Above	25	23	4	14	66
	37.9%	34.8%	6.1%	21.2%	100.0%
Total	103	72	14	69	258
	39.9%	27.9%	5.4%	26.7%	100.0%

Chi-Square Value= 7.398, P-Value= 0.286

 




Greater number of the respondent having age 18-30 (45.1%) followed by the respondents having age group 41 and above (37.9%) mentioned their consent of voting on the basis of kinship. This shows that the younger is the age the stronger will be the politics on the basis of kinship. The Chi-square test provides an insignificant p-value.




 

Table 9. Literacy Consideration                            

	Greater Extent	Some Extent	Limited Extent	Absolutely No	Total
Literate	50	31	6	41	128
	39.1%	24.2%	4.7%	32.0%	100.0%
Illiterate	53	41	8	28	130
	40.8%	31.5%	6.2%	21.5%	100.0%
Total	103	72	14	69	258
	39.9%	27.9%	5.4%	26.7%	100.0%

Chi-Square Value= 4.196, P-Value= 0.241

 




So for as literacy is concerned an immense number of the illiterate respondents (40.8%) followed by the literate respondents (39.1%) have fully supported blood relations in framing the political decisions. This shows that the greater is the illiteracy the greater is the familial connections in politics. The Chi-square value provides an insignificant p-value.




 

Table 10. Monthly Income Consideration

	Greater Extent	Some Extent	Limited Extent	Absolutely No	Total
15000 & Below	28	24	6	14	72
	38.9%	33.3%	8.3%	19.4%	100.0%
16000 & Above	19	10	2	10	41
	46.3%	24.4%	4.9%	24.4%	100.0%
Sorry	56	38	6	45	145
	38.6%	26.2%	4.1%	31.0%	100.0%
Total	103	72	14	69	258
	39.9%	27.9%	5.4%	26.7%	100.0%




In case of the monthly income a heavy number of the respondents having monthly income 16000 and above (46.3%) chased by the respondents of income group 15000 and below (38.9%) have keenly supported blood relations in politics. This shows the greater is the income the greater will be kinship in politics. The Chi-square value provides an insignificant p-value.




 

Table 11. Professional Consideration

	Greater Extent	Some Extent	Limited Extent	Absolutely No	Total
Government Servant	12	10	2	9	33
	36.4%	30.3%	6.1%	27.3%	100.0%
Private Service Sector	3	3	0	2	8
	37.5%	37.5%	.0%	25.0%	100.0%
Businessmen & Shopkeepers	2	2	0	7	11
	18.2%	18.2%	.0%	63.6%	100.0%
House Wife	38	33	4	21	96
	39.6%	34.4%	4.2%	21.9%	100.0%
Others	48	24	8	30	110
	43.6%	21.8%	7.3%	27.3%	100.0%
Total	103	72	14	69	258
	39.9%	27.9%	5.4%	26.7%	100.0%

Chi-Square Value= 13.907, P-Value= 0.307        

 




In case of profession maximum numbers of the respondent that are expert businessmen and shopkeepers (63.6%) have absolutely ignored the family affiliations while stamping the ballot. These are followed by the respondents of the others group of professionals (43.6%) that have encouraged politics on the basis of kinship. The others group of the professional mostly comprised of the students, farmers, skilled, unskilled and retired etc peoples. This shows that majority of the businessmen and shopkeepers have absolutely ignored blood relations in politics. The Chi-square test provides an insignificant p-value.




 

Table 12. Area Consideration

	Greater Extent	Some Extent	Limited Extent	Absolutely No	Total
Rural	68	43	7	15	133
	51.1%	32.3%	5.3%	11.3%	100.0%
Urban	35	29	7	54	125
	28.0%	23.2%	5.6%	43.2%	100.0%
Total	103	72	14	69	258
	39.9%	27.9%	5.4%	26.7%	100.0%

Chi-Square Value= 35.124, P-Value= 0.000        

 




Investigating the area under consideration shows greater number of the rural respondents (51.1%) that have casted the ballot to greater extent acting upon the family relationships followed by the urban respondents (43.2%) that have fully ignored the natural connections of the family. This shows that the greater is the ruralisation the stronger will be the kinship relationship. The Chi-square test provides a significant p-value.

Family Affilations and the Family Disputes

Table 13. Gender Consideration

	Greater Extent	Some Extent	Limited Extent	Absolutely No	Total
Male	36	41	7	57	141
	25.5%	29.1%	5.0%	40.4%	100.0%
Female	36	28	15	38	117
	30.8%	23.9%	12.8%	32.5%	100.0%
Total	72	69	22	95	258
	27.9%	26.7%	8.5%	36.8%	100.0%

Chi-Square Value= 6.986, P-Value= 0.072          

 




Maximum number of the male respondents (40.4%) has absolutely ignored the factor of the family disputes in the politics. They are followed by the female respondents (32.5%) that have casted the ballot greatly on the basis of the familial disputes. This shows that majority of the males have kept away the familial disputes and politics from each other. The Chi-square test provides an insignificant p-value.




 

Table 14. Age Consideration 

	Greater Extent	Some Extent	Limited Extent	Absolutely No	Total
18-30	37	34	11	40	122
	30.3%	27.9%	9.0%	32.8%	100.0%
31-40	18	14	6	32	70
	25.7%	20.0%	8.6%	45.7%	100.0%
41 & Above	17	21	5	23	66
	25.8%	31.8%	7.6%	34.8%	100.0%
Total	72	69	22	95	258
	27.9%	26.7%	8.5%	36.8%	100.0%

Chi-Square Value= 4.587, P-Value= 0.598          

 




Examining the age greater number of the respondents having age 31-40 (45.7%) followed by respondents of the age group 41 and above (34.8%) have fully discouraged the factor of the familial disputes in politics. This shows that the older is the age the lesser will be association between the familial disputes and the politics. Chi-square test provides an insignificant p-value.




 

Table 15. Literacy Consideration                          

	Greater Extent	Some Extent	Limited Extent	Absolutely No	Total
Literate	31	32	15	50	128
	24.2%	25.0%	11.7%	39.1%	100.0%
Illiterate	41	37	7	45	130
	31.5%	28.5%	5.4%	34.6%	100.0%
Total	72	69	22	95	258
	27.9%	26.7%	8.5%	36.8%	100.0%

Chi-Square Value= 4.908, P-Value= 0.179

 




Maximum number of the literate respondents (39.1%) followed by the illiterate respondents (34.6%) opposed to vote on the basis of the family disputes. This shows that the greater is the literacy the greater will be resistance to the family disputes in politics. The Chi-square value provides an insignificant p-value.




 

Table 16. Monthly Income Consideration

	Greater Extent	Some Extent	Limited Extent	Absolutely No	Total
15000 & Below	19	25	6	22	72
	26.4%	34.7%	8.3%	30.6%	100.0%
16000 & Above	10	15	3	13	41
	24.4%	36.6%	7.3%	31.7%	100.0%
Sorry	43	29	13	60	145
	29.7%	20.0%	9.0%	41.4%	100.0%
Total	72	69	22	95	258
	27.9%	26.7%	8.5%	36.8%	100.0%

Chi-Square Value= 8.047, P-Value= 0.235

 




Analysing the monthly income signifies an immense number of the respondents that apologised to mention their monthly income (41.4%) have fully ignored the family disputes in politics. This is followed by another group having monthly income16000 and above (36.6%) that have encouraged family disputes in politics. This shows that the greater is the income the greater will be the familial oppositions in politics. The Chi-square test provides an insignificant p-value.




 

Table 17. Professional Consideration

	Greater Extent	Some Extent	Limited Extent	Absolutely No	Total
Government Servant	8	11	2	12	33
	24.2%	33.3%	6.1%	36.4%	100.0%
Private Service Sector	1	1	3	3	8
	12.5%	12.5%	37.5%	37.5%	100.0%
Businessmen & Shopkeepers	2	0	2	7	11
	18.2%	.0%	18.2%	63.6%	100.0%
House Wife	32	26	9	29	96
	33.3%	27.1%	9.4%	30.2%	100.0%
Others	29	31	6	44	110
	26.4%	28.2%	5.5%	40.0%	100.0%
Total	72	69	22	95	258
	27.9%	26.7%	8.5%	36.8%	100.0%

Chi-Square Value= 20.697, P-Value= 0.055

       




So for as profession is concerned a greater number of the businessmen and shopkeepers (63.6%) followed by the respondents of the others group (40.0%) have stamped the ballot against the family disputes. The others group of the professional mostly comprised of the students, farmers, skilled, unskilled and retired etc peoples. This shows that majority of the businessmen and shopkeepers are opposing familial disputes in politics. The Chi-square test provides a significant p-value.




 

Table 18. Area Consideration               

	Greater Extent	Some Extent	Limited Extent	Absolutely No	Total
Rural	47	47	7	32	133
	35.3%	35.3%	5.3%	24.1%	100.0%
Urban	25	22	15	63	125
	20.0%	17.6%	12.0%	50.4%	100.0%
Total	72	69	22	95	258
	27.9%	26.7%	8.5%	36.8%	100.0%

Chi-Square Value= 28.584, P-Value= 0.000

 




Maximum number of urban respondents (50.4%) has fully ignored the family disputes in politics, followed by the rural respondents (35.3%) that have fully supported the factor of family disputes in politics. This shows the greater is the urbanization the lesser will be family disputes in politics. The Chi-square test provides a significant p-value.

Family Affilations and the Resolutions of the Family Disputes

Table 19. Gender Consideration           

	Greater Extent	Some Extent	Limited Extent	Absolutely No	Total
Male	52	21	10	58	141
	36.9%	14.9%	7.1%	41.1%	100.0%
Female	35	18	25	39	117
	29.9%	15.4%	21.4%	33.3%	100.0%
Total	87	39	35	97	258
	33.7%	15.1%	13.6%	37.6%	100.0%

Chi-Square Value= 11.570, P-Value= 0.009

 




Maximum number of the male respondents (41.1%) followed by male respondents (36.9%) have fully discouraged and encouraged respectively stamping the ballot on the basis of the resolution for the familial disputes. This shows that as compare to females males have highly casted the ballot for the resolution of familial disputes through politics.




 

Table 20. Age Consideration 

	Greater Extent	Some Extent	Limited Extent	Absolutely No	Total
18-30	49	20	13	40	122
	40.2%	16.4%	10.7%	32.8%	100.0%
31-40	21	7	13	29	70
	30.0%	10.0%	18.6%	41.4%	100.0%
41 & Above	17	12	9	28	66
	25.8%	18.2%	13.6%	42.4%	100.0%
Total	87	39	35	97	258
	33.7%	15.1%	13.6%	37.6%	100.0%

Chi-Square Value= 8.273, P-Value= 0.219

 




In case of the age consideration greater number of the respondents having age 41 and above (42.4%) sharply followed by the respondents of the age group 31-40 (41.4%) have fully ignored the factor of the kinship disputes and its resolution in politics. This shows that the greater is the age the greater will be resistance for the dispute resolution in politics. The Chi-square test provides an insignificant p-value.




 

Table 21. Literacy Consideration          

	Greater Extent	Some Extent	Limited Extent	Absolutely No	Total
Literate	36	19	20	53	128
	28.1%	14.8%	15.6%	41.4%	100.0%
Illiterate	51	20	15	44	130
	39.2%	15.4%	11.5%	33.8%	100.0%
Total	87	39	35	97	258
	33.7%	15.1%	13.6%	37.6%	100.0%

Chi-Square Value= 4.146, P-Value= 0.246

               




So for as literacy is concerned a large number of the literate respondents (41.4%) have opposed the factor of the resolution of the kinship disputes in politics followed by the illiterate respondents (39.2%) that have fully supported the factor of kinship in politics. This shows that the greater is the literacy the greater will be kinship in politics. The Chi-square test provides an insignificant p-value.




 

 

Table 22. Monthly Income Consideration            

	Greater Extent	Some Extent	Limited Extent	Absolutely No	Total
15000 & Below	29	12	9	22	72
	40.3%	16.7%	12.5%	30.6%	100.0%
16000 & Above	14	8	6	13	41
	34.1%	19.5%	14.6%	31.7%	100.0%
Sorry	44	19	20	62	145
	30.3%	13.1%	13.8%	42.8%	100.0%
Total	87	39	35	97	258
	33.7%	15.1%	13.6%	37.6%	100.0%

Chi-Square Value= 4.893, P-Value= 0.558

 




Maximum number of the respondents having sorry group of income (42.8%) have casted the ballot against the resolution of the familial disputes. This group is followed by the respondents having monthly income 15000 and below (40.3%) have greatly casted the ballot in favour of the resolution of the disputes. This shows that the lower is the income the greater will be the factor of the family affiliations in politics. The Chi-square test provides an insignificant p-value.




 

Table 23. Professional Consideration

	Greater Extent	Some Extent	Limited Extent	Absolutely No	Total
Government Servant	9	7	5	12	33
	27.3%	21.2%	15.2%	36.4%	100.0%
Private Service Sector	2	2	2	2	8
	25.0%	25.0%	25.0%	25.0%	100.0%
Businessmen & Shopkeepers	1	1	3	6	11
	9.1%	9.1%	27.3%	54.5%	100.0%
House Wife	34	11	19	32	96
	35.4%	11.5%	19.8%	33.3%	100.0%
Others	41	18	6	45	110
	37.3%	16.4%	5.5%	40.9%	100.0%
Total	87	39	35	97	258
	33.7%	15.1%	13.6%	37.6%	100.0%

Chi-Square Value= 18.025, P-Value= 0.115

 




Large number of the respondents from the professional group of businessmen and shopkeepers (54.5%) followed by the respondents of the others group (40.9%) have fully ignored the resolution of the familial disputes through politics. The others group of the professional mostly comprised of the students, farmers, skilled, unskilled and retired etc peoples. This shows that majority of the businessmen and shopkeepers suggest distance for the family affiliations and politics. The Chi-square test provides an insignificant p-value.




Table 24. Area Consideration                               

	Greater Extent	Some Extent	Limited Extent	Absolutely No	Total
Rural	71	20	13	29	133
	53.4%	15.0%	9.8%	21.8%	100.0%
Urban	16	19	22	68	125
	12.8%	15.2%	17.6%	54.4%	100.0%
Total	87	39	35	97	258
	33.7%	15.1%	13.6%	37.6%	100.0%

Chi-Square Value= 52.593, P-Value= 0.000        

 




The area consideration signifies important number of the urban respondents (54.4%) that have fully opposed voting on the basis of dispute resolution. These are then closely followed by the rural respondents (53.4%) that have encouraged the resolution of the kinship disputes in politics. This shows that the greater is the urbanization the lesser will be connection between the resolution of the family disputes and politics. 

Conclusion

Family affiliation is playing a key role in determining the electoral politics in district Charsadda. The empirical data collected about the family affiliation shows fundamental importance as compared to the other voting determinants. The study shows that the theory of the family affiliation is applicable to greater extent (67.9%) in the electoral politics of district Charsadda in the 2013 general elections.

The primary data regarding family affiliations 

in Charsadda has been analysed on the basis of different variables including gender, age, literacy, monthly income, profession and urban/rural stratification. Exploring family affiliations on the basis of the gender shows that it is more applicable in females as compared to males. Examining the familial affiliations on the basis of age demonstrates its importance in the old age peoples having age group 41 years and above. So far as literacy is concerned family affiliation as a voting determinant is more supported by the illiterate respondents? Investigating, the family affiliation as a social determinant of the voting behaviour on the basis of monthly income shows that it is more applicable in the peoples having income group 15000 and below. Scrutinizing the kinship in politics on the basis of the profession shows that it is more supported by the professionals of the private service sector. In case of the area consideration family affiliation is more encouraged by the rural respondents in the 2013 general elections in the constituency of NA-8 district Charsadda.

References

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