During the second phase of Lok Sabha elections on Friday, an energized electorate made their voices heard across 88 seats. The Northeast states showcased unprecedented voter zeal, while Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh witnessed a more subdued turnout.
As reported by the Election Commission, by 7 PM, an average of 60.96% of votes had been cast across 13 states. Notably, the Northeast regions outperformed with over 75% participation, while for the first time, Lok Sabha polling took place in 102 villages of the Bastar division in Chhattisgarh.
Source: aajtak
Where were the highest votes cast?
The second phase saw the highest turnouts in Assam with 70.68%, Manipur with 77.18%, and Tripura with 77.97%. Contrastingly, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh trailed with 53.71% and 54.85% respectively.
In a sweeping survey of the second phase, Assam registered a 70.68% turnout, Bihar with 54.17%, Chhattisgarh at 72.51%, Jammu & Kashmir with 67.22%, Karnataka at 64.57%, Kerala with 65.04%, Madhya Pradesh at 55.32%, Maharashtra with 53.71%, Manipur with 77.18%, Rajasthan at 60.06%, Tripura with 77.97%, Uttar Pradesh with 54.85%, and West Bengal with 71.84%.
Voting dips compared to 2019
Similar to the first phase, the second phase of elections, held on Friday, saw a notable decline in turnout compared to the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. At 5 PM, preliminary data suggested a significant drop in voter engagement compared to the average 70% recorded last election, reflecting a nationwide trend of low voter participation in this phase.
Source: aajtak
Below 50% voting in these areas
Six constituencies recorded less than 50% turnout: Rewa in Madhya Pradesh, Bhagalpur in Bihar, Mathura and Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh, and Bengaluru South and Central in Karnataka. State-wise, Assam's constituencies saw a dip ranging from eight to 13.9 percent, while Bihar experienced a decrease of 8.23 to 12 percent.
The steepest drop in Vadakara
Chhattisgarh witnessed a marginal decline in voter participation, with Vadakara in Kerala recording the most significant decrease of 18.24 percent. Likewise, noticeable voting downturns were documented in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan, with Ajmer in Rajasthan experiencing a substantial 14.89 percent drop.
The trend of declining voter turnout also extended across other states such as Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal, underscoring a widespread reduction in electoral engagement throughout the region. No state reported an increase in voter percentage, highlighting a national pattern of diminished voter participation in this election phase.
