The final poll percentage for phase 1 is roughly 63%, down from more than 68% in 2017 and more than 72% in 2012.
The first phase of Gujarat elections for 89 seats witnessed 5% less polling than in 2017, sparking speculation about who may benefit or be harmed on December 8.
The final poll percentage for phase 1 is roughly 63%, down from more than 68% in 2017 and more than 72% in 2012. Many causes are being blamed for this, ranging from an apparent lack of interest among Gujarati voters in these elections to polling being held on a weekday despite the fact that it was a national holiday.
Gujarat Polls: Overall Voter Turnout Was 62.9% In The First Phase
Surat is renowned as a BJP stronghold, but the Aam Aadmi Party has heavily campaigned in the region. The first phase of the Gujarat Assembly election concluded on Thursday, with an overall voter participation of 62.9%. This marks a 4.4% decrease in voter turnout compared to 2017, when 67.3% of eligible voters voted. According to Election Commission of India data, Narmada had the greatest voter participation at 78.24%, while Botad had the lowest at 57.58%.
BJP officials are dismissing any worries, stating that the low participation demonstrates that there is no significant anti-incumbency vote, since voting percentage would have been greater if this were the case. A senior BJP leader told News18 that while the party’s supporters voted, the Congress supporters may not have, considering the opposition party’s dejected campaign.
The Congress camp, on the other hand, claims that when voting percentages declined from 72% in 2012 to 68% in 2017, the BJP’s seats fell from 63 to 48, while the Congress won 16. The Congress alleged that BJP voters did not vote because they were angry with the ruling party. Meanwhile, Aam Aadmi Party head Arvind Kejriwal tweeted that Gujarati people did a fantastic job in phase one and voted for “parivartan” (change), to which a Congress politician reacted that there would be a “parivartan” except for the Congress.
When compared to 2017, voter turnout has decreased in every district of Gujarat in phase 1. While Prime Minister Narendra Modi ran a whirlwind campaign in Ahmedabad and Surat, holding 30 rallies and two large roadshows, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was only in town for a day and conducted only two events. The Congress chose a low-key door-to-door campaign, whereas the AAP attempted to make the contest triangular by announcing a CM face.
5% Lower Turnout in Gujarat Polls Ph-1: Tired Voters and Weekday Polling Could Be Reasons; What’s the Bottom Line?
