New Delhi: Out of the nearly 97 crore registered voters, a staggering 45.10 crore have already exercised their franchise in the ongoing 7-phase Lok Sabha elections, with the initial four phases witnessing a cumulative turnout of 66.95 per cent, as announced by the Election Commission on Thursday.
In an official statement, the electoral body implored citizens to actively participate in the forthcoming phases of voting. As per the commission’s data, the updated voter turnout during the fourth phase of polling conducted on May 13 stood at 69.16 per cent, marking a 3.65 percentage point increase compared to the corresponding phase in the 2019 parliamentary elections.
During the third phase of polling in the Lok Sabha election, the revised voter turnout figures reached 65.68 per cent, while it was 68.4 per cent during the third phase of the 2019 general elections.
The voter turnout for the second phase of the current election, held on April 26, was registered at 66.71 per cent, contrasting with 69.64 per cent recorded during the second phase of the 2019 polls.
In the inaugural phase of the ongoing general elections, a turnout of 66.14 per cent was documented. This was slightly lower than the 69.43 per cent turnout recorded during the first phase of the 2019 polls. The Election Commission highlighted its intensified efforts to inform, motivate, and facilitate voters during the remaining three phases of the parliamentary elections, urging state chief electoral officers to bolster measures accordingly.
“The Commission firmly believes in the significance of partnership and collaboration in the voter awareness initiative. It is indeed gratifying to witness various institutions, influencers, and celebrities with substantial outreach actively contributing on a pro bono basis at the Commission’s behest,” remarked Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar.
A total of 379 seats spread across 23 states and Union Territories have undergone polling in the initial four phases of the elections. Kumar emphasized that a robust voter turnout would serve as a testament to the strength of Indian democracy on the global stage. He urged voters to cast their votes in large numbers, emphasizing that voting day is not merely a holiday but a day of national pride, commemorating the festival of democracy.
Additionally, the electoral body outlined various outreach initiatives undertaken by both private and public entities to enhance voter participation in the elections. Banks, post offices, private enterprises, and telecom platforms are leveraging their public interfaces to encourage registered voters to exercise their franchise on designated voting days.