PUBLIC POLITICAL PARTICIPATION IN ELECTIONS OF THE LOWER NORTHERN REGION PROVINCE

Abstract

The objectives of this research were: 1. to study general condition of process and factors influencing people's political participation in general elections of the lower northern provinces 2. to present the development people's political participation in general election of lower northern provinces by integrating Buddhism, the research is an integrated research method sample of 400 people from population of voters, total of 2,199,250 were randomly selected by stratified sampling. The research tools were questionnaires, qualitative research in-depth interview with key informants that were specifically selected as qualified experts in various fields related: 18 persons, the data were analyzed using package for social science research, descriptive statistics. Findings were as follows: 1) Factors influencing people's political participation in general elections, lower northern provinces were political psychology factors. It is an important factor that will result in political participation, especially participation general elections which consists of political interest, political behavior, political trolling, political values and political ideology. 2) The development of people's political participation in general elections, lower northern provinces by integrating according to Buddhist principles, for example activities in which people are involved or play a key role in political activities, such as attending political consultation meeting being in unison rose up to defend the country also adherence to democratic principles and ideology.