As the third phase of the 18th Lok Sabha elections concluded on Tuesday, covering 93 constituencies across 12 states and union territories, the voter turnout touched 64.4 per cent, according to data made available by the Election Commission, showing a significant dip compared to the 2019 elections when these constituencies saw a turnout of 67.33 per cent.
There has been a notable decrease in voter turnout. In the first phase, constituting 102 constituencies, the final turnout was 66.14 per cent, marking a drop of under 4 percentage points compared to 2019. In the second phase, with 88 seats contested, the final turnout stood at 66.71 per cent, reflecting a decrease of approximately 3 percentage points from 2019.
The Election Commission (EC) stated that polling was peaceful overall. An EC official noted the peaceful conduct even in West Bengal, known for past instances of poll-related violence. According to the EC’s Voter Turnout app, Assam reported the highest turnout at 81.61 per cent, with four seats contested.
Uttar Pradesh saw the lowest turnout at 57.34 per cent across 10 constituencies. These same constituencies had witnessed 60.01 per cent polling in 2019. Bihar recorded a turnout of 58.18 per cent across five constituencies, while Gujarat, with 25 out of 26 constituencies voting (the BJP winning Surat unopposed), observed a polling percentage of 58.98 per cent. In 2019, Gujarat had a turnout of 64.5 per cent.
Maharashtra observed a turnout of 61.44 per cent across 11 constituencies. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah exercised their franchise in Gujarat.
Apart from Gujarat, polling concluded in Assam, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Karnataka, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Daman and Diu on Tuesday. In the first two phases, polling was completed in 14 states and Union territories.
Also Read:Ex-Congress leader Radhika Khera, actor Shekhar Suman join BJP
Chhattisgarh recorded a turnout of 71.06 per cent across seven constituencies, Goa saw 75.20 per cent across two constituencies, and Karnataka recorded 70.41 per cent across 14 constituencies.
After the third phase, the EC released aggregate turnout data on its Voter Turnout app, following criticism for delays in releasing final turnout data for the first two phases and not disclosing the total number of electors and voters.
Responding to the criticism, the EC stated that voter turnout is recorded at every polling station in line with statutory requirements. Copies of Form 17C, containing booth-wise data of actual votes polled, are shared with all present polling agents. Voter turnout, along with a gender-wise breakdown, will be published by May 11 following scrutiny, including any repolls.
Additionally, the EC released constituency-wise elector data, excluding service voters, for the first three phases as part of enhanced transparency measures.