Low turnout in 3 southern dts. a puzzle

By S. Annamalai

MADURAI, MAY 11. The low turnout in yesterday's Assembly poll in Madurai, Sivaganga and Virudhunagar districts has baffled political parties and pollsters. In contrast to what was projected in the build-up to the elections, the polling at around 60 per cent, in the three districts has belied the expectations of party workers. Only four of the 21 constituencies have managed to exceed the lowest figure of the decade, while the rest registered new lows.

As per the final figures, Virudhunagar district recorded the highest of 61.6 per cent, followed by Sivaganga (60.28) and Madurai (57.4). Over the years, the number of voters in all these constituencies has been going up but this has not been reflected in the turnout at the hustings. A comparative analysis of the turnout in three Assembly elections since 1991 reveals a clear slump in the 2001 polls.

Though this is attributed to the growing indifference among the voters and the parties' success in reinforcing this trend, it is pointed out that despite the high calibre publicity and awareness campaigns carried out in the media, the voter has remained unimpressed.

The indifference is pronounced in the urban constituencies, while the rural ones have fared better. Conforming to its past record, the Madurai West segment has recorded the lowest turnout of 49.1 per cent in the region, followed by Samayanallur (51.8 per cent) and Madurai Central (52.3 per cent). These three constituencies have the educated elite of Madurai city as voters who have not found any fascination for EVMs. Some of the parties attribute the low percentage to a large-scale deletion of names from the electoral rolls, but even in the past the voters did not demonstrate an enthusiasm to go to the booths. Summer heat is also adduced as another reason for the low turnout but a large number of people could be seen on the streets in these districts going about their routine, except casting their votes. On the contrary, the Sholavandan constituency has registered a 67.5 per cent turnout, the highest in the region, followed by Tiruppattur (67), Tirumangalam (65.5), Melur (66), Sedapatti (64.6), Rajapalayam (63.7) and Sattur (62.6).

A significant factor in the voting pattern is the higher turnout of men in Madurai and Virudhunagar districts. In the 10 Assembly constituencies in Madurai district, 5,36,013 women exercised their franchise, against the male turnout of 5,94,186.

In the six constituencies of Virudhunagar district, 3,89,142 men cast their votes, against 3,72,738 women. In Sivaganga district, women (2,59,088) outnumbered men (2,49,689) marginally.

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Section  : State Elections
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