The Role of Community Leaders in Influencing Voting Behavior:

A Study of Santiganj Upazilla, Sunamganj

Abstract

Community leaders play a crucial role in shaping voting behavior in rural areas, particularly where social networks and personal relationships have a significant influence on political decision-making. This study investigates the way in which community leaders affect voting behavior and analyzes the processes by which this impact appears in the rural areas of Bangladesh. A quantitative study design was used to collect primary data from 380 respondents in Joykolosh Union of Santiganj Upazila, Sunamganj, comprising 350 voters and 30 community leaders. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed with descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. The findings show that community leaders have a major impact on rural voters' voting decisions. Political leaders emerged as the most powerful group, followed by community and religious leaders. Key influencing mechanisms identified include regular interaction, trust-based relationships, candidate recommendation, awareness-building campaigns, problem-solving support, and direct electoral mobilization. Improving openness and accountability in local leadership structures could lead to more informed, participatory, and democratic voting processes in rural Bangladesh.