Appraisive Attitudes and Citizens’ Participation Behaviour at the Sub-National Electoral Levels: A Study of Cape Coast Metropolis

Abstract

This study sought to assess the effect of appraisive attitudes on citizens’ participation behaviour at the sub-national electoral levels in Ghana using the Cape Coast metropolis as a case. The study adopted a quantitative approach. The stratified sampling technique was used to collect data from 265 delegates from the Cape Coast North and Cape Coast South constituencies through self-administered questionnaires. Partial Least Squares (PLS) structural equation modelling was used to test the hypotheses postulated. The findings revealed that the study supported the assertions that evaluations of candidates’ policy responsiveness positively affected citizens’ participation behaviour. Given the second study objective, the study found that appraisal of candidates’ performance positively affected citizens’ participation behaviour. Finally, the study proved that examination of candidates’ candidates’ integrity has a positive effect on citizens’ participation behaviour. The study showed that the perception of honesty and trustworthiness of the parliamentary candidate is a crucial determinant of citizens’ participation behaviour. The study concludes that the appraisive attitudes of election candidates regarding responsiveness evaluation, performance evaluation, and integrity evaluation determine the citizens’ participation behaviour regarding their voting decisions. Therefore, the study recommends that political parties should ensure free and fair primaries to ensure that only candidates rationally evaluated and endorsed by voters represent the party in the general elections.