First four phases of LS polls see nearly 67pc voter turnout
The cumulative turnout in the first four phases of the Lok Sabha elections has been recorded at 66.95 per cent, with 45.10 crore of the nearly 97 crore electors have exercised their franchise so far in the ongoing battle of ballots.
The cumulative turnout in the first four phases of the Lok Sabha elections has been recorded at 66.95 per cent, with 45.10 crore of the nearly 97 crore electors have exercised their franchise so far in the ongoing battle of ballots.
The Election Commission said in a statement that it has urged the voters to come out and cast their ballots in large numbers in the coming phases.
According to the poll body, the updated voter turnout in the fourth phase of polling held on May 13 was 69.16 per cent, 3.65 percentage points higher than the corresponding phase in the 2019 parliamentary polls.
The updated voter turnout figures for the third phase of polling in the Lok Sabha election stood at 65.68 per cent. In the third phase of the 2019 general election, the turnout was 68.4 per cent.
Similarly, in the second phase of the election held on April 26, the turnout was recorded at 66.71 per cent as against the 69.64 per cent in the second phase of the 2019 polls.
Likewise, in the first phase of the ongoing general elections, a 66.14-per cent turnout was recorded. In the 2019 polls, the turnout in the first phase was 69.43 per cent.
The EC said there is enhanced focus on to inform, motivate and facilitate voters in the remaining three phases of the parliamentary polls and state chief electoral officers have been asked to step up measures.
Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said 379 seats across 23 states and Union Territories have gone to polls in the first four phases of elections.
The ECI believes that heatwave conditions are one of the reasons for lower voter turnout in the last three phases as compared to the 2019 parliamentary polls.
Noting that a high voter turnout would be a message from Indian voters to the world about the strength of Indian democracy, the CEC urged voters to cast their ballot in large numbers, as voting day is not a holiday but a day of pride to participate in the festival of democracy.
The poll authority listed out outreach efforts undertaken by various private and public bodies to enhance voter participation in the elections. Banks, post offices, private entities and telecom platforms are using their public interface to encourage registered voters to turn up at the polling stations on various voting days.
So, don’t get surprised, if you receive a call from cricket legend and ECI national icon, Sachin Tendulkar, appealing voters to cast their vote during the ongoing Lok Sabha election.
As a part of its outreach to enhance the voter turnout, ECI has introduced an array of various interventions, to appeal and motivate voters to cast their vote, during the ongoing elections.
