Karnataka records highest polling in 35 years at 71.29 percent


Karnataka records highest polling in 35 years at 71.29 percent

From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore

Bangalore, May 7: Contrary to public perception and negative media coverage about the apathy and indifference of Karnataka’s electorate to fulfill their democratic duty of participating in the elections, the voters have performed a feat of recording a polling percentage of 71.29 percent, which is the highest in the last 35 years.

The highest ever polling percentage of 71.90 percent was recorded in 1978.

The total polling as per the reports provided by the State Election Commission authorities in Sunday’s assembly elections in the State was 70.29 percent

The polling was 6.5 percent more than the polling in the assembly elections of 2008 (64.78 percent).

However, the turnout in the 2009 Lok Sabha elections was 58.88 percent.

The percentage of polling was 65.17, 67.65 and 68.59, respectively, in the assembly polls of 2004, 1999 and 1994.

The polling percentage in Bangalore Urban district comprising 28 constituencies was 57.38 percent against 49.87 percent in 2008 Assembly and 45.81 percent in 2009 Lok Sabha polls.

Highest polling was recorded in Chikballapur district at 83.50 percent.

Three more districts recorded more than 80 percent polling and they are Bangalore Rural (82.49), Kolar (81.47) and Ramanagaram (82.94).

The gender gap in voting has narrowed significantly in this election with 70.1 percent of female voters exercise franchise compared to 71.84 male voters.

The percentage of polling by male and female voters in 2008 Assembly elections was 66.33 and 63.23 percent respectively.

A total of 50.97 percent and 45.6 percent of male and female voters exercise their franchise in the 2009 Lok Sabha elections.r

“We are very satisfied with the voter turn out in the polling. We started with a low base of 65 percent and crossed 70 percent,” Chief Electoral Officer Anil Kumar Jha told reporters on Monday.

Nearly 10 percent of voters exercisede their franchise in the last one hour on account of various reasons, including summer hot condition.

“There are several reasons for high turnout during last hours of polling,” he said making it clear that there was nothing unusual about it,” the CEO said.

A total of 2,770 male and 170 female candidates have entered the electoral battle.

The counting will take place on May 8 and the results are expected around noon.

  

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Comment on this article

  • Tony, usa

    Sat, May 11 2013

    congratulations to the people of Karnataka, my home state! I feel proud to be a Kannadiga with such a high percentage of informed voters.

    You deserve a good government. Please don't stop at voting...!

    tony

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Vincent Rodrigues, Katapadi/Bangalore

    Tue, May 07 2013

    Thanks to the election commission for their commited effort to poll well in the state and for the brilliant results thereof.Now the commission need to concentrate vigarously to enroll those voters deprive of voting because of their name missing in the voter list or they have not been given voter identity card.Hope,for the corrective steps in this regard from the authorites at the earliest to get voting right in the forthcoming parliament election.Thanq.

    DisAgree Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Narendra, Manipal

    Tue, May 07 2013

    The full credit goes to Election commission. They put lots of effort people to cast their vote/ right. Let's continue this tradition to increase polling percentage. We also Hats up Security personnel and Govt. officials for their incredible work for smooth conduct of poll.

    DisAgree Agree [15] Reply Report Abuse

  • Indian, Mangalore

    Tue, May 07 2013

    This is because of AAM ADMi PARTY's volunteers. By going house to house they encouraged the people to vote and if they don't find proper candidates than use form 49.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • john, Mumbai/Udupi

    Tue, May 07 2013

    The only way to vent out the anger by the people.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • Valerian Dsouza, Udupi/Mumbai

    Tue, May 07 2013

    Percentage of voting increase is attributable to peoples awareness that:

    1. Voting is the ONLY right with
    common people, who can send a Political party (parties) to throne and bring down some from throne!(Kingmakers)
    2. People have now realized how important it is to take active part and do their bit in government formation.
    3. People have realized that they can compel the elected representatives and law enforcers to abide by and follow the constitution.
    4. Due to this awareness, in future parties will take up matters concerning welfare of people.

    DisAgree Agree [16] Reply Report Abuse

  • jeetendra hegde, mumbai

    Tue, May 07 2013

    This may be to take revenge against BJP M L A's ,who for the last 5 years involved in all types of activities including party hopping,Resort hopping ,rape,porn and corruption.MLA 's indulged in these activities surely have no right to enter vidhan soudha again in life..

    DisAgree [2] Agree [24] Reply Report Abuse

  • Tony Crasta, Sydney/Mangalore

    Tue, May 07 2013

    This is an impressive turnout, especially when the voting is not compulsory, and I congratulate the people of Karnataka for turning out to vote in such large number! Keep up this trend!.

    DisAgree Agree [21] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mangalore/Mapusa/Mumbai

    Tue, May 07 2013

    People of Karnataka were FULLY FED UP ............

    DisAgree [2] Agree [23] Reply Report Abuse

  • JerryMOras, Calgary, Canada

    Tue, May 07 2013

    Several reasons :
    1.Movement from Duel party majority to multi-party system.
    2. Previous regime :3 CMs in 5 years which lead to un-stability of the govt.
    3. Bad governance by BJP and voters feel need for change.
    4. Educated in Electronic media.
    5. Public makes informed decision.
    6. Education, Public awareness and people involvement in politics.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [18] Reply Report Abuse

  • prem, Moodbidri

    Tue, May 07 2013

    People come out in big number with the sole intention of kicking out BJP Govt.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [31] Reply Report Abuse

  • ISMAIL.K.PERINJE, PERINJE-YANBU/KSA

    Tue, May 07 2013

    THUFAN AANEWALI HAI KYA?(for BJP?)

    Reasons

    Print and electronic media focused on exercising voting rights extensively

    Govt/NGOs/Educational institutions also educated the people to vote

    Generation next are relatively educated

    It may be a current or anti- incumbency factor which inspired people to vote and bring out a change?

    Timings are readjusted and duration is increased.

    Yes,citizens are slowly but certainly realizing that voting is a weapon to tame the political parties.

    Congratulations to all esteemed voters of Karnataka who may inspire other states to follow the suit.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [30] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rosario Fernandes, Kallianpur

    Tue, May 07 2013

    Also: When Aam Aadmi's grievenses are not attended to, they realize this is the only way out to express their anger. People's awareness and education has considerable increased compared to 2008.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jacobnelsonq, Bejai,Mangalore

    Tue, May 07 2013

    Now people are educated,
    they know how to teach lesson.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [28] Reply Report Abuse


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