After 16 years, more than half of Mumbai’s electorate came out to vote on Thursday in the third and last phase of the Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra.
The average voting percentage across the six Mumbai seats increased to 52.66 from 41.41 in 2009. The South Mumbai constituency, which saw about 54 per cent turnout, crossed the 50 per cent mark for the first time in the last six parliamentary elections. The maximum increase of about 16 per cent votes was seen in Mumbai North-Central and Mumbai South-Central.
Across the 19 constituencies in Maharashtra, which went to the polls on Thursday, there was about 10 per cent increase in the polling percentage. “It’s an increase for sure but not a thumping one,” said Surendra Jondhale, professor at the Department of Civics and Politics in Mumbai University. According to Prof. Jondhale, new voters may have contributed to the increase. “But, at the same time, parties have ensured that their loyal voters do vote,” he added.
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The Dindori (ST) constituency in north Maharashtra recorded the highest turnout of 64 per cent while the Kalyan constituency, neighbouring Mumbai, polled the lowest at 42 per cent.
The third phase of elections in Maharashtra, like the previous two, witnessed a number of complaints from voters who could not find their names in the list. The Election Commission has deleted around 7.38 lakh voters from the list. The list had many double names, with wrong addresses, and many had left the address mentioned in the list.
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One of the prominent citizens whose name was missing from the list was HDFC chairman Deepak Parekh. “I have always voted from this booth. I am carrying all identity proofs, but I can’t vote since my name is not in the list,” he said outside the booth.
With more than 1.46 lakh new voters added to Mumbai voters’ list for this election, first-timers could play a crucial role.