The first two phases of the India General Elections 2024 are now over and one particular thing has surprised everyone- comparatively low voter turnout from the last Lok Sabha elections in 2019. In a country, that prides itself as the “largest democracy in the world”, why did many voters not come out to cast their valuable vote?
This question has baffled political experts, parties like the BJP and Congress are sweating over it, and the Election Commission is doing whatever it can to ensure people register their choice through vote in this election too, like the previous ones.
Voter Turnout Data: Phase 1, Phase 2
The second phase of voting for 88 seats on 26 April, saw many popular leaders test their luck on the EVMs in the 13 states of Tripura, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Manipur, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, and Assam. Around 15.88 crore voters were expected to vote in this phase, with male voters (8.08 crores), female voters (7.80 crores), and transgender voters (5,929).
| State/U.T | %age |
| Assam | 77.35 |
| Bihar | 57.81 |
| Chhattisgarh | 75.16 |
| Jammu and Kashmir | 72.32 |
| Karnataka | 68.47 |
| Kerala | 70.21 |
| Madhya Pradesh | 58.26 |
| Maharashtra | 59.63 |
| Manipur | 78.78 |
| Rajasthan | 64.07 |
| Tripura | 79.66 |
| Uttar Pradesh | 54.85 |
| West Bengal | 73.78 |
| State/U.T | %age |
| Assam | 77.35 |
| Bihar | 57.81 |
| Chhattisgarh | 75.16 |
| Jammu and Kashmir | 72.32 |
| Karnataka | 68.47 |
| Kerala | 70.21 |
| Madhya Pradesh | 58.26 |
| Maharashtra | 59.63 |
| Manipur | 78.78 |
| Rajasthan | 64.07 |
| Tripura | 79.66 |
| Uttar Pradesh | 54.85 |
| West Bengal | 73.78 |
Low Voter Turnout in India General Elections 2024 : Probable reasons
Heatwave and Wedding Season
With temperatures in India touching 46 degrees, the Indian Meteorological Department has put out Heatwave alerts for various parts of eastern and southern India. Some parts of Eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar also fall in the same category, where heatwave conditions are persisting.
The Election Commission has also cited the Heatwave and the wedding season as the main reason behind the low voter turnout in the first two phases of the India General Elections 2024. Yet, when one takes a closer look at voter turnout data in eastern and peninsular India, where the heatwave conditions are severe, the percentage of voters who came out to vote is actually higher than in other states. Let’s take a look at other probable reasons too.
Lower Interest among voters
In 2019, the issue of nationalism and national security became the biggest issue in the election. The Pulwama Terrorist attack and subsequent surgical strike in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir made the voters come out in flocks to vote for the BJP, making it win the majority of seats in the election.
The current 2024 election, has seen an array of issues- from unemployment, and inflation on the ground to a clash between ideologies of various parties. The current government, with B.J.P as its biggest party, is highlighting its achievements like welfare measures for the poor and India becoming the 5th largest economy in the world. On the other hand, I.N.D.I.A, an alliance made up of Congress and various opposition parties is bringing up issues of joblessness in youth, farmers, and social justice.
The question remains- Are voters buying into the promises made by the parties in India General Elections 2024? Is there a single issue that can strike a nerve to become a rallying point among the voters? Both N.D.A and I.N.D.IA alliance is claiming that their followers are voting and there is complacency in the vote bank of the rivals. What is the truth? Only the election results on June 4 will tell.
Local Issues have taken Stage
Conclusion
It is yet to be seen whether the comparatively low voter turnout in the first two phases will continue in the remaining phases of the India General Elections 2024 or not? Will parties change their election strategies to lure out the voters from their homes by highlighting certain issues?
Will issues of communal politics get more importance than developmental issues? Indian voters are highly opinionated and clear about their choice in the elections, this election should not be any different for the sake of democracy. If you are eligible to vote, make your opinion heard at the power centers of our country.
Update– Communal divisions were a prominent backdrop during the election, but they were not the sole focus.
- other factors like ideology, local concerns, caste dynamics, gender, and candidate personalities also played a role.
- Issues related to the development of regions and their people often took a backseat to communal divisions.
- The election landscape was multifaceted, with both communal politics and developmental concerns shaping the discourse.
- Exit polls projected that Prime Minister Modi would secure a third consecutive term, but the actual results were narrower than expected.
- The BJP secured wins in several states, but its tally in states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra faced challenges. The opposition alliance- INDIA fared better than what most people were predicting in the Lok Sabha election 2024.
