Politically conscious Kerala relishes its chance to vote

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala is one of the few states which has consistently recorded polling percentage above national average in all general elections. Along with Sikkim, Nagaland and West Bengal, the state’s voter turnout has touched above 70% in most Lok Sabha elections, according to data since 1957.
Kerala’s voter turnout has never gone below 60%, while it went below 70% only thrice —1957, 1971 and 1989. The national average of voter turnout has mostly been below 60%; the highest in four decades being 66.44% — in 2014.

Kerala’s voter turnout, which had shown a fluctuating pattern till 1991, has been on an upward scale in the last four general elections. The aggressive campaign the state has witnessed in the last three weeks hint that the polling percentage will be even higher in the upcoming poll.

The highest turnout recorded in Kerala were in 1977 post-Emergency election and in 1989. The two polls recorded 79.2% and 79.3% respectively.

“We witnessed one of the strongest political campaigns in 1977. LDF was pitching against the Emergency period with the slogan ‘Adiyantharavastha Kadalil’ (Throw Emergency in the sea), while UDF replied with ‘Akramarashtreeyam Kadalil’ (Throw political violence in the sea). The campaign did leave an impact and people voted in large numbers. The results showed that Kerala voted for Congress despite the anti-Emergency sentiments,” said political historian Cherian Philip who is also the co-ordinator of Nava Keralam mission.

In 1989, a churn of events at the national-level politics echoed in Kerala too. “Various issues raged nationally and state also experienced its heat. CPM rallied for Mandal commission report. It also campaigned against Congress for overturning SC verdict in Shah Bano case. Again, it was a period of heavy political campaigning,” said Philip.

The high voter turnout in Kerala reflects the political consciousness and growing influence of caste leadership, according to academicians. “Unlike other states, voters in Kerala have high political awareness. In the early years, some of the figures from north India were nowhere near Kerala data. At the same time, Kerala has witnessed politicization of caste too. Caste leadership has always influenced voting pattern and turnout. Strong and intensive campaigns have consolidated votes in the past,” said Kerala University political science associate professor Shaji Varkey.

As for constituencies, Thiruvananthapuram has frequently recorded voting percentage below 60%. The only time it crossed 70% was in 1984 and 1989. Manjeri recorded the lowest voting percentage in general election history in the state with 45.81% turnout in 1971. The electors of constituencies like Kannur and Vadakara have the distinction of registering high voter turnout, always touching above 70% and going above 80% a few times.