AHMEDABAD: According to the latest figures from the Election Commission, Gujarat recorded a voter turnout of around 59.51 percent on Tuesday. This marks the lowest turnout when compared to the the past two Lok Sabha elections in the state. The dip in voter turnout has been a cause of curiosity and concern among the ruling BJP and the Congress.
According to a data from the Election Commission of India (ECI) released on Tuesday night, voter turnout across Gujarat's 25 Lok Sabha constituencies stood at only 59.51%. This marks a notable decrease from the 2019 turnout of 64.51% and the 2014 turnout of 63.66%. Out of the 4.79 crore eligible voters, only 2.85 crore individuals cast their ballots, while 1.90 crore abstained from voting.
"The unprecedented decline in voter participation can be attributed to a combination of factors. Among these, anti-incumbency sentiments, worsened by local grievances and disillusionment, stand out prominently," said Senior Journalist Dilip Patel.
"Discontent among crucial caste groups has become a central issue. The Kshatriya agitation, along with disillusionment among influential caste communities like Leuva Patels, Kadva Patels, and Koli Patels, has significantly influenced the electoral dynamics, potentially impacting the ruling party," he said.
Karansinh Chavda, spokesperson of the Kshatriya Coordination Committee, stated, "In Saurashtra, the BJP is poised to face significant setbacks. It is anticipated that the BJP may encounter defeat in around seven Lok Sabha seats due to the Kshatriya Movement, initiated in response to Union Minister Parshottam Rupala's comments."
The voter turnout across different constituencies also offers additional perspectives on the changing political dynamics. While few seats saw a slight drop in participation compared to 2019 and 2014, others observed more significant declines.
Voters in Kesar village in Bharuch district, Sanadhara in Surat district, and Bhakhari in Banaskantha district chose to completely boycott the voting process. Additionally, voters in Bhatgam village in Junagadh district, as well as Bodoli and Kunjara villages in Mahisagar district, partially boycotted the voting process, as reported by the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO).
This boycott stemmed from their grievances and unmet demands from the government.