Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], November 8 : Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar on Friday expressed concern over the low voter turnout in urban constituencies like Colaba and Kalyan, highlighting the stark contrast with regions affected by Naxalism, such as Bastar and Gadchiroli, which reported 68 and 78 percent voter turnout, respectively.
"When voters in LWE-affected regions like Bastar (68%) and Gadchiroli (78%) can vote, why can't Colaba and Kalyan? Colaba in 2019 recorded only 40% voting," CEC Rajiv Kumar questioned Maharashtra officials during a review meeting held today.
Sources in the Chief Electoral Office of Maharashtra told ANI that during the review meeting with District Election Officers (DEOs), Police Commissioners, SPs, Municipal Commissioners, and Returning Officers (ROs), CEC Kumar pointed out that in Jammu & Kashmir, constituencies like Doda, Reasi, Poonch, and Rajouri had voter turnouts exceeding 70 percent in the most recent Assembly elections, even in the most sensitive areas. Kishtwar district achieved a 100 percent voter turnout. Kumar asked why urban constituencies in Pune, Thane, and Mumbai couldn't see similar enhancements in voter participation.
Kumar also drew attention to the trend in sensitive areas like Manipur, which recorded a 78 percent voter turnout in the 2024 General Election. Meanwhile, one of the posh constituencies in Mumbai South saw nearly half of eligible voters skipping the polls.
This worrying trend extended to high-rise societies in Gurgaon and Faridabad, where voter turnout was dismal, even as low as 20 percent, despite polling stations being set up within society buildings during the recent Haryana elections.
In response, the CEC directed all officials to engage voters, especially in urban areas, using various mediums to encourage them to exercise their right to vote.
Kumar also instructed DEOs and ROs to ensure that polling stations provide a comfortable voting experience, with guaranteed minimum facilities. Benches must be provided in queues at polling stations in dense areas to ease the process.
Moreover, CEC Kumar emphasized the importance of accessibility and grievance redressal, directing officials to be available to all stakeholders. He also urged officials to maintain a level playing field for all parties and candidates, warning of action if any violations occurred. Officials were instructed to ensure that candidates or their agents are involved in all stages of the electoral process, following the Election Commission's guidelines and instructions.
Finally, CEC Kumar called for strict vigilance against any attempts to offer inducements, such as cash, liquor, drugs, or freebies, to influence voters. He stressed the importance of monitoring government vehicles, such as ambulances and vans, to prevent their misuse in the circulation of cash and valuables.