English abstract
This study seeks to reveal the attitudes of Sultan Qaboos University students
towards electoral participation, and the extent to which they are affected by a group of
variables. The sample consisted of (1002) students from the academic cohort of 2017-
2020. The study adopted a descriptive methodology by developing an attitude scale
designed according to the Theory of Planned Behavior, which estimates an
individual’s intention to perform an action by calculating three types of attitudes:
behavioral, normative, and control.
The results indicated a weak positive intention among university students
towards electoral participation, a weak positive attitude towards Shura Council
elections, weak social pressure to participate, and weak control over factors hindering
participation. The results did not show a gender influence on the normative attitudes
and control attitudes; however, there was a gender influence on the behavioral attitudes
in favor of females. There was no influence of participation in the 10th Shura Council
elections on behavioral and control attitudes; however, there was an influence on
normative attitudes in favor of "Yes". Additionally, no statistically significant
differences were attributable to variables such as family income level, parents'
educational level, type of college, and academic cohort.
The result showed statistically significant differences attributable to the
variable of family interest in discussing Shura Council elections on the behavioral,
normative, and behavioral intention attitudes in favor of families with a high level of
interest. There were also statistically significant differences regarding the intention to
participate in the upcoming 2027 Shura Council elections in favor of those who
indicated "I will participate". The study recommended the need to strengthen the
university’s role in the political education of university students, and expand the roles
of the student advisory council at the university.
