May 16th 2024.
The Election Commission announced on Thursday that the overall voter turnout for the first four phases of the Lok Sabha elections stands at 66.95 percent. This means that out of the total 97 crore eligible voters, 45.10 crore have cast their votes so far. In a statement, the Commission urged citizens to continue with this trend and come out in large numbers for the upcoming phases of the elections.
The fourth phase of polling, which took place on May 13, recorded a turnout of 69.16 percent, which is 3.65 percentage points higher than the previous parliamentary polls in 2019. Similarly, the third phase saw a voter turnout of 65.68 percent, compared to 68.4 percent in 2019. The second phase also witnessed a slight decrease in turnout, with 66.71 percent of voters casting their votes compared to 69.64 percent in 2019. The first phase, however, saw a similar turnout of 66.14 percent, as opposed to 69.43 percent in 2019.
To further encourage citizens to exercise their right to vote, the Election Commission has directed state chief electoral officers to ramp up efforts to inform, motivate, and facilitate voters in the remaining three phases of the elections. Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar emphasized the importance of collaboration and partnership in the voter awareness program. He also expressed his appreciation for institutions, influencers, and celebrities who have volunteered their time to promote voter participation.
Out of the total 543 parliamentary seats, 379 have already voted in the first four phases. Kumar believes that a high voter turnout would send a strong message to the world about the strength of Indian democracy. He urged citizens to take pride in participating in this festival of democracy and not see voting day as just another holiday.
The Election Commission also highlighted the efforts of various private and public bodies in reaching out to voters and encouraging them to vote. Banks, post offices, private entities, and telecom platforms have been using their public interface to remind registered voters to cast their ballots on the designated voting days.
In conclusion, the Election Commission hopes to see a continued increase in voter turnout as the remaining phases of the elections approach. They believe that with the collective efforts of citizens, institutions, and influencers, this election will be a true reflection of the strength and spirit of Indian democracy.
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