In an attempt to comprehend the preferences of Gen Z for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Hunch, a social discovery app, has unveiled a report based on the user-generated polls on the app. An overwhelming 85.3 per cent of the respondents support implementing a mandatory retirement age for politicians. This result underlines the young generation’s desire for a more dynamic political landscape, advocating for fresh leadership beyond entrenched incumbents.
The report delves deep into Gen Z’s political aspirations, highlighting their pivotal role in shaping India's future. With their maiden votes, they wield the power to influence the nation's trajectory, making their perspectives on the leaders and democratic parties of India indispensable. Representing a crucial demographic aged between 16 and 25, Gen Z's opinions carry a significant weight in the political discourse.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds strong favour among 61.8 per cent of Gen Z individuals, according to feedback from over 20,000 respondents. Additionally, a substantial 65.9 per cent perceive him as the most formidable candidate, while Rahul Gandhi trails significantly behind with just 18.9 per cent support. The report also states that nearly half (49.3 per cent) of Gen Z express an interest in actively engaging in politics themselves, further enhancing their inclination towards a transformed political landscape.
Regarding preferred mediums for following political news, social media emerged as the top and the most obvious choice, garnering 63.9 per cent of their votes, followed by TV news (23.1 per cent) and newspapers (13.0 per cent). There is no doubt that social media has transformed how news is consumed in today’s landscape due to its immediacy, accessibility, personalisation, and vast reach.
Other Key Findings
The report details Gen-Z's aspirations with nearly 50 per cent of them expressing interest in participating in politics. Out of this, a staggering 44.3 per cent highlight a focus on improving job opportunities within the country, addressing concerns about economic stability. Additionally, 30.8 per cent express a genuine desire to eliminate corruption, while 12.5 per cent emphasise the importance of reducing cybercrime, showcasing a diverse array of concerns within this young generation.
Another user-generated poll focused on the dynamics of power among women in politics saw the results split among respondents, with Smriti Irani securing 32.3 per cent and Mamta Banerjee leading with 26.2 per cent. Nirmala Sitharaman and Droupadi Murmu also featured prominently, showcasing the diversity of influential female leaders in politics.