53 million people voted in the fifth phase of Lok Sabha polls, with a turnout of 60.5%. Mumbai had low turnout, while Baramulla saw highest in decades.
More than 53 million people voted on Monday in the fifth and smallest phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha polls as 49 seats across six states and two Union territories recorded a turnout of 60.5%, compared to 62.4% from five years ago. This indicated an uptick in voting in comparison to the first four phases.
The fifth phase – which is also the most urban of the seven phases – saw a string of high-profile seats such as Amethi, Rae Bareli and Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh, six constituencies in India’s financial capital Mumbai, Hajipur in Bihar, and Baramulla in Jammu & Kashmir go to the polls.
In 2019, the turnout in these seats was 62.4%. To be sure, the turnout number from Monday night is likely to be revised upwards – close to if not surpassing the 2019 figure. In comparison, the turnout in the first phase was 66.14%, as against 69.4% five years ago; in the second phase was 66.71% as against 69.6% five years ago; in the third phase was 65.68% as against 65.9% five years ago; and in the fourth phase, was 69.16% as against 69.5% five years ago.
With this phase, elections are completed in 24 of India’s 36 states and Union territories. Just 114 of the 543 total Lok Sabha seats remain for the last two phases on May 26 and June 1.
West Bengal recorded the highest voter turnout (75.9%), followed by Odisha (72.8%), Ladakh (70.5%), Jharkhand (63.1%), Uttar Pradesh (57.8%), Jammu and Kashmir (58.2%), Bihar (54.9%) and Maharashtra (54.3%).
Mumbai continued to disappoint with only around half the city’s registered voters stepping out to exercise their ballot. Mumbai South recorded the lowest turnout of 47.7% and Mumbai North East recording the highest of 53.8%. A galaxy of stars, sporting heroes and industry titans, including Amitabh Bachchan, Sachin Tendulkar, Mukesh Ambani, Asha Bhosle, exercised their franchise. But overall turnout languished in the country’s financial capital. In 2019, turnout stood at 55.4%.
Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/turnout-up-in-ph5-101716230581151.html