The State Election Commission may heave a sigh of relief for conducting peaceful polls without any controversial development like previous year’s mayoral election. However, the euphoria that had built up with the announcement of election did not match the enthusiasm on the poll day. Appeals made by candidates and administration fell on deaf ear of voters who preferred not to vote.
Voting for mayoral election started at 7am on a gloomy note that became the trend for the entire day leading to disappointment among the officials of State Election Commission, candidates and booth agents of candidates. In view of the commission, the low turnout in the mayoral election is harbinger of eroding confidence in institutions and their failure to deliver.
“I believe that there is a need to focus on strengthening institutions by examining works done in other states based on the concept behind Article 73 and 74 (of the Indian Constitution)” maintained State Election Commissioner Shiv Basant.
Notably, voters’ turnout in last municipal election conducted in April 2013 was less than 30 per cent but it plummeted to 17.72 per cent in this election leaving all the 14 candidates in the poll fray in a state of utter disbelief. About 126232 (of a total of 7,12,371) voters turned out at 901 polling centres to elect the next mayor of Ranchi Municipal Corporation.
Absence of voters soured the mood of candidates who were expecting voters to respond to the election campaign and a host of awareness campaign aimed at increasing turnout on poll day. The writing on the wall was clear to some candidates by the end of the voting and also the reasons of a disinterested voter that preferred to stay indoors.
“We had not expected a lower turnout however it is sign of growing discontent among voters. May be they believe that they do not get anything by voting in elections,” said AJSU party backed candidate Barsha Gari. To say that the holiday given to State government employees to exercise their franchise was used for personal commitments will be an understatement. Even the VVIP and VIP booths kept waiting for the high profile voters in vein. The VVIP booth at ATI witnessed an abysmally low turnout of about 230 voters out of a total of 1,767 voters that included few principal secretaries as well. Result will be declared on June 27.
“People had committed that they will vote. I don’t know why they did not vote despite a holiday given to them just for the purpose,” said a dejected BJP backed candidate Asha lakra. While most of the VVIPs enjoyed a rare holiday on what could have been a working day Chief Minister Hemant Soren showed them the importance of voting by exercising his franchise. CM Soren voted at St Francis School booth at Harmu. Notwithstanding apathy of thousands of voters there were some who tried to uphold the tenets of democracy by participating in election to the lower institution in democratic setup in the country. For the small percentage of voters the municipal body touches their lives and they are the only institution that they can always easily approach to get their voices heard and problems solved. Ironically, people raising problems missed the opportunity of becoming part of the solution by staying away from the voting process.
“People complain about cleanliness, streets, water crisis and when it came to place a suitable person who can solve their problems they preferred to stay away,” said a resident of Kusum Vihar, AK Pal.