Mumbai: While the 2019 parliamentary elections saw a record voter participation rate of 67.4%, turnout in the first two rounds of the six-stage general election in 2024 was by far the lowest. In the first stage, his 65.5% of voters turned out at polling stations, a decrease of 4% from 2019. In the second stage, turnout fell by another 10%.
Election observers attribute the relative apathy among voters to a scorching summer, family vacations during school and university holidays, a lack of pressing national issues, and candidate apathy. listed.
Despite relatively high voter participation in 2019, two constituencies in Mumbai lagged nationally in turnout. In north-central Mumbai, which includes Bandra, only 53.58% of voters turned up at polling stations, while in south Mumbai, a small portion of voters turned out to vote. Voter turnout in some of the country’s most expensive areas, including Malabar Hill, Cuffe Parade and Marine Drive, was just 51.59%, the lowest of Mumbai’s six assembly constituencies.
Why did nearly half of the voters in these areas stay away from their polling stations? In areas like Malabar Hills, groups like the public trust VCAN (V Citizens Action Network) are working with election commissions. We are increasing the number of voting stations. VCAN Chairman and Managing Director Indrani Malkani said there was an apathy among the wealthy towards voter participation.
“People are not inclined to vote. There is no such apathy among the lower middle class and slum dwellers,” Malkani said, adding that the efforts of groups such as VCAN have helped turnout turnout from its previous lows. He added that it exceeded 50%.
Adrian Rosario, a Khar resident, said the turnout rate at recent public events to drum up voter enthusiasm in Bandra and Khar was not very encouraging. “This is the heart of the (North Central) constituency, but turnout for the April 21st event was lower than we expected. People don’t want anything to change and if they want something, they vote. I have the idea that even if I don’t have it, I’ll get it eventually,”’ Rosario said.
Citizens also blamed the low participation rate among young voters on the fact that many are not registered to vote. Sunil Bhatnagar, a resident of Nariman Point, part of the Mumbai South constituency, said, “This is an area where citizens are deeply involved in civic affairs, but young people are not interested.” I can’t do it,” he said.
Some criticized the date chosen for the election. “The Election Commission has a good trick of putting weekends before and after voting day, and this time it is no different. May and October are school holiday months, and people take pre-planned vacations. , elections are declared in these months,” said Lilian Pais. A resident of Bandra.
Anticipating a repeat of low voter participation in these areas for the May 20 Mumbai polls, the Election Commission and civic bodies are organizing events to increase voter interest in the elections. There is. On Sunday, a “Walk to Vote” rally was held in Khar by the Electoral Commission’s voter education and literacy program, Systematic Voter Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP). Popular singers, actors, and local community organizations took part in a May 20 rally urging residents to refrain from traveling outside the city.
“The number of participants was quite large,” said Brian DeSouza, who attended the event. “In addition to celebrities, there were also members of local civic groups, presidents of national universities, and residents.” On April 21, the Election Commission in collaboration with Bombay Catholic Sabha organized a ‘vote-a-thon’ from Hill Road to Bandra Fort to increase enthusiasm for the elections.
Sabah Party deputy leader Kevin D’Souza, who attended the April 21 event, said it was sad to see the apathy of voters in the area. “If you don’t have time or don’t want to exercise your constitutional duties, you shouldn’t complain about the current situation. I think a lot of people are fed up with the system,” D’Souza said. Ta.
It is hoped that voter participation will increase in the May 20 vote. Bhatnagar said new facilities for senior citizens to vote from home will increase turnout, adding: “There are a lot of changes happening. People have high expectations of their local legislators and state legislatures. “I’m working on it,” he said. Malkani said increasing facilities to transport people in wheelchairs to polling stations would increase voter turnout.
Published: Tuesday, April 30, 2024, 11:52 PM IST
