All seven seats of the Lok Sabha (Parliament) in Delhi will be contested on May 25, during the sixth phase of elections.
However, turnout is expected to be lower than normal because the voting day coincides with a long weekend. This timing may affect the number of people who cast their votes.
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As reported by Hindustani times The fact that senior officials in the national capital are going to the polls on Saturday has raised “concerns”.
Since May 23 (Thursday) is a holiday for Buddha Purnima and May 26 is a Sunday, officials are concerned that many people will take May 24 (Friday) off to create an extended long weekend. This could lead to a drop in election turnout as residents may choose to travel out of the city.
Also read: Lok Sabha election date 2024: Delhi votes on May 25, Mumbai goes to polls on May 20
.over, Delhi's chief electoral officer declared a paid holiday in the national capital on May 25. According to the order, all eligible employees – public or private – who are voters in Delhi are entitled to a paid holiday to exercise their democratic right. vote on election day.
“It's one of the reasons we've expanded our voter awareness campaigns and are trying to reach every group possible. We have reached out to market associations to offer discounts to people who vote and we are also planning a democracy discount in restaurants for election day,” the Delhi Election Commission official said. Hindustani times on condition of anonymity.
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The severe heat wave and the prolonged summer holidays could also reduce voter turnout.
Earlier on Friday, India's Silicon Valley observed the situation as nearly half of eligible voters in Bengaluru did not turn up to cast their votes in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, PTI reported. In the fourteen constituencies of Karnataka, the Election Commission reported an estimated voter turnout of 69.23 percent. According to pollsters, the scorching summer heat is one of the reasons why people are not coming to the polling booths in the city.
However, the national capital has a history of low voter turnout, often attributed to urban apathy. In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the overall voter turnout in Delhi was 65.1%, which dropped to 60.5% in 2019. The most affluent areas consistently show the lowest voter turnout rates, especially in the constituencies of New Delhi and South Delhi.
(With input from agencies)
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Published: Apr 27, 2024 1:52 PM IST