Despite the high visibility efforts to promote voter turnout, overall enthusiasm during the 23rd April polling in Bangalore seemed muted. A visit to several areas of Bangalore South and Bangalore Rural (segments within South Bangalore Assembly constituency) Parliamentary constituencies, revealed limited voters in several centers. In certain centers, while some stations were crowded, others in the same center went empty.
But still one saw a cross section of people including the aged and eager youngsters streaming in, keeping our democratic traditions alive.
Lull before the storm?: a day before the elections
“Votu Ivvattu Illa, Naale,” I was told by these two
Getting a thorough cleaning – watched by a pair of curious eyes
Where’s my name? What’s my number? Voters throng the tables outside
At the station though, crowds are still scanty though the day is advanced
Gautami, who voted for the first time in a Parliamentary election, with her parents
Slightly higher turnout at another centre in Bangalore Rural
Long queues at one station in this centre
While another station at the same centre is deserted
Parvatiammal, a 84 year old lady who voted here
The police on their election rounds in JP Nagar I Phase. They confiscated incorrectly displayed party material
Confiscating incorrectly displayed party material
This centre in JP Nagar is completely deserted
M.R. Shivaswamy, relaxing in a park opposite after exercising his franchise, says the voters have been few and the queues minimal
But K. Ramakanth who just turned 18, was insistent on voting. He returned alone to a JP Nagar station a second time, having forgotten his ID card when he first came with his parents
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The Voting in south Bangalore was less than 50 %. It is probably not too wrong to say that most people who voted in the last election would have voted in this election also. Since most people vote the way they have voted in the last election, the voting pattern now would be similar to that in the last election. This means essentially NO change in the outcome ! It is very sad that there are not many new voters in spite of sincere work by NGOs etc.
Mr. Vishwanath,
It is truly sad that the turnout has been really low across Bangalore, Mumbai and Delhi. I believe there is a need for the Election Commission to analyze voter details to scientifically determine the profile of those who did not vote. If I remember correctly, at the time of enumeration, a number of personal details were also collected such as education, occupation and so on. This would aid the analysis and help future efforts to reach out to specific groups in a targeted manner to seek their coming out to vote.