At 72.13%, voter turnout in Karnataka highest since 1957 assembly polls
Women and young voters exercised their franchise in large numbers in the Karnataka elections, an official said.
The state witnessed the highest voter turnout since 1957 with the voting percentage reaching 72.13%, according to the latest data shared by the Election Commission. Provisional data released on Saturday of voting till 6pm pegged the number at 67%.
According to the latest data, Hosakote in the outskirts of the state capital once again recorded the highest turnout at 89.97%, a minor decline from the 90.97% recorded in 2013.
The lowest voting percentage was seen at Dasarahalli in Bengaluru city, which recorded a 48.03% turnout. Bangalore urban district was once again the worst in terms of turnout, recording 54.76%, which was lower than the 57% recorded in 2013.
As many as 24 of the 30 districts in the state recorded over 70% polling as against 21 in 2013. Nine of these districts had a turnout over 80%, compared with four previously.
More men and women voted in this election as well, with the polling percentage increasing for both. While 73% men voted this time, as against 72.40% in 2013, 71.42% women voted, compared with 70.47% in 2013.
Political analyst Narayana A, faculty at the Azim Premji University, said three conclusions could be drawn from this increase. “First, the efforts of the Election Commission and various organisations seem to be paying dividends ...” he said.
Second, Narayana said, the figures also indicated the increasing dependence of voters on local legislators. “This has seen a significant increase because all the facilities, utilities and any other help people require seems to be dependent on the local legislator,” he said.
“Third, and most significant, is the increasing role of money in politics. It is clearly one of the reasons for the increase in turnouts,” Narayana said.
“Politicians use the networks they rely on to deliver people the money to ensure electors cast their votes. But, their network can only get the voters to the booth and not ensure they vote for the candidate,” he said. There had been frenzied campaigning in the state with the stakes high for the BJP, JD(S) and the Congress.
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