WHAT’S IN A VOTE? THE EFFECT OF GROUP IDENTITY ON VOTER PERCEPTION OF MINORITY RESERVED PRESIDENTS: A CASE STUDY OF INDIAN VILLAGES

Abstract

This paper explores the impact of group identity on voters’ perception of minority reserved presidents. I use data on the gender and caste identity of village presidents and voters to investigate voters’ rating of their presidents. I also study the relationship between presidents’ identity on the level of overall and differential provision of public and private goods as a measure of the presidents’ performance – which can influence voter perception. A cross-sectional analysis conducted at the household, habitation and Gram Panchayat (GP) levels suggests no significant impact of group identity on voters’ rating. While I observe some evidence for differences in overall public and private goods provision, I find limited effects of president identity on the differential provision of the same goods at the household, habitation and GP levels. Finally, I use this result to discuss the potential implications for goods provision and overall reservation policy.