The Visakhapatnam Parliamentary constituency, despite being the biggest constituency in terms of size and electorate in the State, has always seen the lowest turnout.
In 2014 elections, the voter turnout was put at 67.5%, the lowest when compared to the same in 25 Lok Sabha constituencies in Andhra Pradesh. Of the total 17.23 lakh voters, only 11.63 lakh walked to the polling booths to exercise their franchise. The figures in the previous elections were also not encouraging. In 2004 general elections, only 63.75% of the total voters cast their votes while the number went up to 72.95% in 2009.
Figures say it all
According to a survey conducted by Delhi-based Insight Political Strategists and Workforce (IPSW), a political startup, the voter turnout has always been low in Visakhapatnam. Citing the figures of 2014 elections, the survey report suggests that 10 of the total 25 parliamentary constituencies in the State such as Amalapuram, Anakapalle, Bapatla, Chittoor, Eluru, Narsapuram and Rajahmundry recorded a voter turnout of more than 80%. The Bapatla constituency recorded a poll percentage as high as 85 followed by Narsaraopet (84.6%), IPSW founder chairman Jaivarda said.
The other constituencies had crossed the 70% mark and a few such as Vijayawada, Vizianagaram, Guntur, Kakinada, Nandyal, Hindupur, Tirupati and Anantapur recorded more than 75% turnout.
“Despite being a constituency with higher literacy rate, the voter turnout being low has always been an intriguing factor. To assess the reason, we did a sample survey of more than 55,000 housesholds and shops, covering over 1.25 lakh individual voters in Visakhapatnam Lok Sabha constituency,” Mr. Jaivarda told The Hindu.
Terming findings as unique, he attributed the lower poll percentage to confusion among voters.
“The survey revealed that many voters did not know about the polling dates, which booth they should go to exercise their franchise. The simultaneous Assembly elections also had added to the confusion,” he pointed out. The voter turnout this general election matter a lot as four major parties – TDP, YSRCP, BJP and JSP—are trying to emerge victorious. “This is unlike the 2014 general elections as the TDP and BJP who were allies with the support of the JSP are rivals this time,” he added.