In the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections spanning 88 seats across 12 states and a union territory, India witnessed a voter turnout of 63.50 per cent, as reported by the Election Commission (EC). Despite scorching heat conditions in several regions, polling was largely peaceful across the nation.
The polling, which commenced at 7 am and concluded at 6 pm, saw notable variations in voter enthusiasm across different states. According to Election Commission data, Tripura emerged as the state with the highest voter participation, recording an impressive turnout of 79.46 per cent, closely followed by Manipur at 77.32 per cent.
However, Uttar Pradesh, the most populous state in India, recorded the lowest turnout at 54.85 per cent, marking a significant decline compared to the 2019 elections where a 62 per cent turnout was witnessed for the same seats. This downward trend in voter engagement raises pertinent questions about the factors influencing voter participation in the state.
In Tripura, the electoral process faced a unique situation where two polling stations reported voter turnouts exceeding 100 per cent. This anomaly was attributed to the use of Election Duty Certificates (EDC), as stated by the Chief Election Officer of Tripura. The Tripura East (ST) constituency witnessed peaceful polling, underscoring the success of electoral management efforts.
Manipur, characterized by heightened security measures during polling, exhibited robust voter enthusiasm with a turnout of 77.32 per cent. The presence of security personnel seemingly contributed to ensuring a conducive environment for voters to exercise their franchise freely.
Kerala, another state with significant electoral activity, recorded a turnout of 70.21 per cent, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency registering a notable participation rate of 72.70 per cent. Similarly, Madhya Pradesh witnessed a turnout of 57.88 per cent, reflecting a moderate level of voter engagement.
Assam, with its five parliamentary constituencies, saw a commendable turnout of 71.11 per cent, indicating a substantial portion of the electorate actively participating in the electoral process. However, the Election Commission received approximately 300 complaints in West Bengal, primarily related to EVM malfunctioning, underscoring the need for robust electoral infrastructure.
In Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, and West Bengal, voter turnout ranged from 55.08 per cent to 71.91 per cent, highlighting varying levels of civic engagement across these regions.
Despite challenges such as scorching temperatures and sporadic instances of voter boycotts initially reported in certain villages, authorities managed to persuade voters to participate in the democratic exercise, ensuring the integrity and inclusivity of the electoral process.
The third phase of the Lok Sabha elections is poised to continue the journey of democracy, with citizens across the nation eagerly exercising their democratic right to vote.