Low Voter Turnout in Bengaluru Despite Election Commission Initiatives

Despite intensive efforts by the Election Commission, nearly half of eligible voters in Bengaluru did not turn up to cast their votes during the Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka.

Across the 14 constituencies of Karnataka, the Election Commission reported an estimated voter turnout of 69.23 per cent.

However, the voter turnout in the three urban constituencies of Bangalore—Bangalore Central, Bangalore North, and Bangalore South—was notably lower than the state average.

According to the Press Trust of India (PTI), the approximate voter turnout in Bangalore Central for this election stood at 52.81 per cent, in Bangalore North at 54.42 per cent, and in Bangalore South at 53.15 per cent.

In 2019, the voter turnout in these urban areas during the Lok Sabha elections was slightly higher.

One of the reasons cited for the lower voter turnout in urban areas was likely the scorching heat in Bengaluru during the polling day.

Despite the Election Commission’s disappointment with the low participation, Bangalore Rural saw a relatively better turnout of 67.29 per cent.

On the other hand, Mandya and Kolar reported higher voter turnout percentages of 81.48 per cent and 78.07 per cent, respectively.

The Election Commission had launched multiple initiatives to boost voter participation, such as the use of various apps, including QR codes on voter slips, to help voters locate polling booths easily.

The efforts also included enhancing facilities at polling stations, improving information availability about queue lengths, and providing adequate parking facilities at polling stations in Bengaluru.

By addressing key concerns that historically discouraged voter turnout, the Election Commission aimed to make the voting process more accessible and efficient.