Even as Haryana recorded 67.9 per cent polling across 90 assembly constituencies, the disturbing trend of urban apathy, however, continues to significantly impact overall state voter turnout, Election Commission(EC)said here on Monday.
Sharing details, it said many urban constituencies in the state recorded turnout rates 10% below the state average. The EC also said despite awareness campaigns to motivate voters the participation continues to be subpar.
As per the Election Commission’s data, Gurugram, Faridabad, Panchkula, Ballabhgarh, Sonipat, Karnal and Badshahpur are among those assembly areas which recorded lowest voters turn out. Despite the various steps taken by the local administration to address urban voter apathy, including setting up of special polling booths in high-rise societies and deployment of NSS cadets to help senior citizens and PwD electors, Gurugram district, comprising four Assembly constituencies, recorded 51.81 percent, finishing marginally ahead of neighbouring Faridabad which recorded 53.74 percent. Haryana recorded 67.90 percent turnout, which beats the Lok Sabha 2024 voter turnout of 64.8 percent in the State by over three percentage points. Panchkula 59.37 percent, Ballabhgarh 53. 27 percent, Sonipat 57.67 percent, Karnal 56.37 percent and Badshahpur 54.26 percent turn out.
This trend of low urban participation mirrors similar patterns seen in previous assembly elections in Karnataka, Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh. Countrywide various initiatives were undertaken by the Commission in the previous elections to motivate and engage the urban voters.
Ahead of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024, special consultations with Municipal Commissioners and DEOs from select districts and introduction of TIP (Turnout Implementation Plan) were undertaken.
Recently, during the review visit in Maharashtra, Chief Election Commissioner(CEC)Rajiv Kumar had again emphasised on all DEOs and MCs to work on improving voter turnout, especially in urban areas.
The Commission, while expressing concerns over the discernible lower turnout in urban areas in Haryana and in J&K, has resolved to further strengthen measures and innovative outreach to deal with urban apathy in the upcoming elections in predominantly urban states like Maharashtra.
As regards the overall polling percentage in Haryana, the EC said a voter turnout of 67.9% was recorded across the 90 constituencies. It reflected significantly higher voter response compared to last Lok Sabha elections which recorded 64.8% voting in the state. The turnout nearly touches the figures of Assembly Elections in 2019, which stood at 68.3%. Voters across rural areas turned up at polling stations with greater vigour.
