Voting behaviour is a fundamental aspect of democratic governance as it reflects citizens' political preferences and electoral decision-making. The present study examines the factors influencing voters' behaviour towards independent candidates and political parties during elections in Hassan district, Karnataka. The study was undertaken to understand the determinants that shape voter preferences in the changing political environment where both independent candidates and political parties play significant roles. The research adopted a descriptive and analytical research design using both primary and secondary data. Primary data were collected through a structured questionnaire based on a five-point Likert scale, while secondary data were obtained from books, journals, government publications, Election Commission reports, and other academic sources. A total of 810 responses were collected, and the data were analysed using SPSS through descriptive and inferential statistical techniques, including multiple regression analysis. The findings indicate that the regression models for both independent candidates and political parties are statistically significant, explaining 81.4% and 79.9% of the variation in voter behaviour, respectively. For independent candidates, issue-based campaigning, accountability to constituents, community representation, and freedom from party control, independent decision-making ability, desire for political change, and personal integrity significantly influence voter preferences. In contrast, welfare and development schemes, candidate selection, strong party organization, government performance, and strategic voting significantly influence support for political parties. The study also found that certain variables, including local reputation, party loyalty, party brand image, and social identity factors, did not independently influence voting behaviour after controlling for other variables. The hypotheses were tested using regression analysis, and both alternative hypotheses were accepted, confirming significant relationships between the selected variables and voter behaviour. The study concludes that contemporary voters evaluate both candidate qualities and party performance before making electoral decisions. The findings provide valuable implications for independent candidates, political parties, policymakers, election administrators, and researchers in designing effective electoral strategies and promoting democratic governance. Future research may explore the influence of digital campaigning, social media, political trust, and changing voter expectations across broader geographical regions.