- June 3, 2024
High Voter Turnout in Himachal Pradesh Lok Sabha and Assembly By-Elections
High Voter Turnout in Himachal Pradesh Lok Sabha and Assembly By-Elections
In the latest phase of the Lok Sabha elections, Himachal Pradesh witnessed a significant voter turnout, with approximately 68.85% of the electorate casting their votes across the four parliamentary constituencies. The Assembly by-elections for six seats in the state also saw a robust participation rate of around 76%. Despite the overall enthusiasm, this turnout is slightly lower than the 72.42% recorded in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
Constituency-wise Voter Turnout
Here’s a detailed breakdown of voter turnout in the key parliamentary constituencies of Himachal Pradesh:
Hamirpur: 69.54%
Kangra: 67.97%
Mandi: 73.12%
Shimla: 71.26%
The early morning hours saw voters turning out in large numbers to cast their votes before the temperatures soared. The polling pace slowed down during the hotter part of the day but picked up again in the afternoon as the weather cooled. Reports of EVM (Electronic Voting Machines) and VVPAT (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail) malfunctions extended voting in some areas into the late night. In addition to the parliamentary elections, Himachal Pradesh also conducted by-elections for six assembly seats. The voter turnout in these constituencies was impressive:
Sujanpur: 74.10%
Kutlehar:77.04%
Dharamshala:66.27%
Barsar:69%
Lahaul-Spiti: 75.09%
-Gagret:75.21%
The high voter engagement in these regions reflects the public’s keen interest in shaping their local governance and addressing regional issues. The slight dip in voter turnout compared to the previous Lok Sabha elections could be attributed to various factors, including voter fatigue and weather conditions. However, the enthusiasm in rural areas contrasted with the urban turnout, indicating a significant drive among rural voters to participate in the democratic process. New voters showed notable enthusiasm, with many arriving in traditional attire and even making special efforts, such as using wheelchairs or being carried to polling stations, to ensure they could cast their ballots.
High-profile leaders and their respective constituencies reported the following voter turnouts:
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu (Nadaun): 72.89%
Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur (Seraj): 79.22%
Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri (Haroli): 65.70%
These figures highlight the competitive nature of the elections and the efforts by key political figures to mobilize voters in their constituencies.
The election day was not without its issues. At the Ganu Mandwara polling booth, delays in the voting process led to the removal of the presiding officer and the sector officer. Such incidents underscore the challenges in ensuring smooth electoral operations, especially in remote and rural areas. Leaders across the political spectrum, including BJP National President JP Nadda, Union Minister Anurag Thakur, and former Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, were active in encouraging voters to participate. The presence of notable personalities like Kangana Ranaut at polling stations added to the day’s visibility, emphasizing the importance of each vote in this democratic exercise.
The 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Himachal Pradesh and the concurrent assembly by-elections have shown robust voter engagement, particularly in rural areas. While the overall turnout was slightly lower than in the previous elections, the high participation rates in specific constituencies and among first-time voters reflect a vibrant democratic spirit. As the state awaits the counting of votes on June 4, the outcomes will significantly impact the political landscape, especially with the by-elections influencing the state’s Congress government.
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By understanding voter behavior and addressing the challenges faced during the elections, future electoral processes can be improved to ensure even greater participation and smoother operations.