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Vote Buying Among First-Time Voters in Ghana: A Theory of Planned Behavior Analysis in Comparative Perspective

Author

Listed:
  • Benjamin Takyi

    (Department of Social Studies Education, University of Education, Winneba)

  • Desmond Bright Kyere

    (Department of Social Studies Education, University of Education, Winneba)

Abstract

This study examines the dynamics of vote buying among first-time voters in the Effutu Municipality in the Central Region of Ghana, situating the analysis within the broader comparative literature on electoral clientelism in the Global South. Anchored in the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), it assesses how attitudes toward inducements, subjective norms mediated by trusted intermediaries, and perceived behavioral control shape the likelihood that first-time voters will accept and act upon electoral incentives. A descriptive survey design was adopted, targeting the first-time voters in the 2024 general election. Through multi-stage sampling, 98 first-time voters were drawn from two randomly selected zonal councils in the Effutu Municipality. The data was collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS (Version 26) to generate descriptive statistics. The findings revealed high acceptance rates of short-term material incentives, the dominance of party agents and assembly members as brokers, and the use of staged payments to ensure compliance, compromised voter autonomy. These practices normalize transactional politics, erode civic ideals, and condition electoral participation of first-time voters on material gains rather than civic duty. The researcher recommends a cognitive dissonance–based intervention by the National Commission for Civic Education.

Suggested Citation

  • Benjamin Takyi & Desmond Bright Kyere, 2025. "Vote Buying Among First-Time Voters in Ghana: A Theory of Planned Behavior Analysis in Comparative Perspective," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 9(9), pages 4751-4763, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:bcp:journl:v:9:y:2025:issue-9:p:4751-4763
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Gingerich, Daniel W., 2020. "Buying Power: Electoral Strategy before the Secret Vote," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 114(4), pages 1086-1102, November.
    2. Vladimir Shchukin & Cemal Eren Arbatli, 2022. "Clientelism and development: Vote-buying meets patronage," Journal of Theoretical Politics, , vol. 34(1), pages 3-34, January.
    3. Alice Guerra & Mogens K. Justesen, 2022. "Vote buying and redistribution," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 193(3), pages 315-344, December.
    4. Gallego, Jorge & Guardado, Jenny & Wantchekon, Leonard, 2023. "Do gifts buy votes? Evidence from sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 162(C).
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