Bhopal: Low voter turnout sends political parties in contemplation

OUR STAFF REPORTER

BHOPAL (Madhya Pradesh)

The first phase of the election of the city government has sent the political parties in contemplation. It was expected that if the rains stopped, voters would come out of their homes, but the voting percentage in 11 municipal corporations decreased significantly compared to the last election.

60.90% voter turnout has been recorded in 48 wards of Sagar Municipal Corporation which was 4.6% less than last time. In Singrauli, the voter turnout reduced by 12.28 percent. Voting percentage came down by 4.4% in Bhopal and 9.41% in Gwalior. Overall 61% voting took place in the elections in 133 bodies.

Low turnout in Bhopal

Only 51.60 percent voting took place in Bhopal. In 2015, there was 56 percent voting in the municipal elections in Bhopal. In Bhopal, maximum 57.34 per cent votes were cast in the North Vidhan Sabha that has Congress sitting MLA. The lowest 47.20% votes were witnessed in Govindpura seat that has sitting BJP MLA.

Discrepancy in the voter slips

This time the discrepancy in the voter slips is being said to be the main reason behind the fall in the voting percentage. Voters in large numbers had complained that they didn’t get the voter slip. Several others said that their polling booths were changed and had to return home without voting.

Ruling BJP has come down heavily on discrepancy in distribution of voter slips and has questioned the State Election Commission.

“Complaints of voter slips not distributed have come from several quarters. Moreover, members of the same family were divided into more than one polling booths resulting in low voter turnout. The State Election Commission should answer as to who is responsible for it,” said Lokendra Parashar, media in-charge BJP.

Former minister and Congress MLA PC Sharma too echoed the same feelings and said that low voting was a result of non-distribution of voter slips.