Bengaluru continues its trend of low voter turnout with just 57 percent; Rural seat dominates with 67.3 PC polls | Bengaluru News

69% of voters in 14 Lok Sabha constituencies in coastal and southern Karnataka took part on Friday, in line with the previous turnout. However, Bengaluru trailed by 57%, indicating ongoing challenges in urban voter engagement despite attempts to increase voter turnout. Targeted initiatives are crucial for metropolitan regions.

Voter turnout remains low in Bengaluru. (PTI file photo)

Bengaluru: On Friday, more than 69% of voters in 14 Lok Sabha constituencies in coastal and southern Karnataka participated in the electoral process. This preliminary voter share closely resembles the turnout in the last two elections: 70.4% in 2019 and 68% in 2014. However, Bengaluru, the state capital, continued to lag behind with an overall voter turnout of just 57% amid ongoing voter turnout challenges downtown. Despite efforts to increase voter turnout, Bengaluru's performance highlights the need for targeted initiatives to increase civic engagement and voter turnout in metropolitan areas.

Voter turnout by constituency in Bengaluru compared to 2019

Temperature led to lower turnout: report

Voter turnout for all four seats was down compared to 2014, with Bangalore South recording the lowest turnout. The low voter turnout in the four-seat district of Bengaluru is due to high temperatures and persistent voter apathy. The lowest voter turnout was recorded in Bangalore Central at just over 52%. To avoid the intense midday heat, voters across the state lined up early in the morning. The highest voter turnout was between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m. at 22% and after 3 p.m. when nearly 18% of all voters in Karnataka cast their votes. However, as the day progressed and temperatures rose to over 37 degrees Celsius, Bengaluru residents showed limited enthusiasm for voting.

The rural seat's contribution will continue in the electoral process

Across Karnataka's 14 seats, the sustained trend of rural voters playing a crucial role in driving overall voter turnout continued. Despite sporadic cases of vandalism, reports of missing votes and discrepancies in the voter rolls that resulted in disenfranchisement for some, a generally peaceful electoral atmosphere prevailed in all constituencies across the state. The rural-urban divide remained evident as rural areas continued to show strong participation in the democratic process. However, challenges such as logistical problems and administrative discrepancies highlighted the need for continued efforts to ensure the smooth conduct of the elections and maintain the integrity of the electoral process.