Survey: 58% Dalit Voters in Bihar Identify Unemployment as Top Poll Issue

Fast Summary

• A survey by the National Confederation of Dalit and Adivasi Associations (NACDAOR) was conducted among 18,581 Scheduled Caste (SC) voters in Bihar between June 10 and July 4.
• Findings revealed that over 27.4% SC voters have “no trust” in the election Commission of India (ECI).
• Around 58% said unemployment is the biggest issue for upcoming Assembly elections in Bihar.
• When asked about fear of losing their votes during voter list revisions, over 71% expressed concern.
• General trust in ECI showed mixed results: ~51% trusted it, while ~27% did not; ~21% were unsure.
• Respondents named Prime Minister Narendra Modi (~47%) as their favorite national leader; Rahul Gandhi followed (~40%).
• On credit for the caste census initiative, answers were divided: PM Modi (~33%), Rahul Gandhi (~31%), Tejashwi Yadav (~27%), others (~8%).
• Opinions on Nitish Kumar’s state goverment were split: roughly 48% rated it “bad,” while ~45% thought its performance was “good.”

Indian Opinion Analysis

The survey underscores critical challenges affecting political dynamics and societal trust ahead of Bihar’s elections. Wiht notable distrust from a significant portion of Dalit voters toward the Election Commission, this highlights potential concerns about transparency and inclusivity in electoral processes. Additionally, unemployment emerging as a dominant issue suggests broader socio-economic dissatisfaction among communities.

The mixed responses regarding leaders’ contributions to initiatives like caste enumeration point to competition over positioning within regional politics.High ratings for figures such as PM Narendra Modi signal his sustained appeal across demographics despite localized critiques tied to governance and growth.Given widespread apprehension about losing voting rights during roll revisions, stakeholders may need prioritization toward ensuring accuracy and fairness during electoral exercises. These findings emphasize the need for policymakers to engage more robustly with marginalized groups while addressing core developmental concerns impacting daily lives across Bihar.

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