State records lower voting percentage than in 2019
By Arun Pratap Singh
Dehradun, 19 Apr: Voting for Lok Sabha elections 2024 was held today in Uttarakhand. In most places, moderate to brisk voting was reported. More than 54.18 percent votes had been cast till 7 p. m. in the state but the final figure may go slightly up. A total of 53.56 percent voters had exercised their franchise till 5 p. m. even as the voting continued well beyond the stipulated time. It appears that, as compared to 2019 elections, the vote percentage has been slightly lower this time in the state. In all the polling booths of District Dehradun, 55.64 voters exercised their franchise till 5 p. m. with maximum voting in the district seen in Sahaspur Assembly segment.
The final figures of voting in the state are likely to be updated late as further details come in. It may be recalled that voting was held in the first phase of the general elections on all the 5 Lok Sabha constituencies. Voting started at 7 a.m. and continued well beyond the stipulated time of 5 p.m. since, at many places, a large number of voters were seen inside the polling stations, waiting for their turn to cast vote. In Uttarakhand, polling was held for Almora-Pithoragarh, Nainital-Udham Singh Nagar, Pauri-Garhwal, Tehri and Haridwar Lok Sabha constituencies. The counting will be held on 4 June along with the rest of the country after polling is completed in 7 phases.
The voting time for the first phase of Lok Sabha elections 2024 ended much later than 5 p. m. Till 5 p. m., 53.56 percent voting had taken place in Uttarakhand. Voters were, however, still waiting in lines. All voters who entered the polling stations before 5 p. m. were allowed to vote. Till 5 p. m., Haridwar and Nainital-Udham Singh Nagar seats witnessed maximum voting percentage at 59.01 and 59.36, respectively. Nainital-Udham Singh Nagar Almora-Pithoragarh constituency recorded 48.79 percent till 5 p. m. which was the lowest among all the 5 seats in the state. The Tehri seat recorded 51.01 percent voting by 5 p. m., while Pauri Garhwal constituency recorded 48.49 percent.
Voting till 5 p. m. in 2024 as compared to 2019 elections is as under:
In Tehri Lok Sabha constituency, till 5 p. m., 57.78 percent voting was recorded in 2019 and only 51.01 percent till 5 p. m. in 2024. On Garhwal seat, till 5 p.m., 54.24 percent voting was recorded in 2019 and only 48.79 in 2024 today till 5 p.m. On Almora seat, 49.98 percent voting was recorded in 2019 till 5 p. m. and, this year, only 44.43 percent voting was recorded till 5 p. m. On Haridwar seat, 67.66 percent voting was recorded till 5 p. m. in 2019 and till 5 p. m. in 2024, Haridwar witnessed 59.01 percent voting. In Nainital-Udham Singh Nagar constituency, in 2019, 65.96 percent voting was registered till 5 p.m. while, in 2024, till 5 p. m., 59.36 percent voting was registered. Figures for this year may get subsequently revised and updated.
A total of 45.53 percent voting was recorded in Uttarakhand till 3 p. m. today not touching even 50 percent, which indicated a slight lack of enthusiasm. Also, 38.43 percent voting was recorded on Almora Lok Sabha seat; 42.12 percent voting was recorded on Garhwal Lok Sabha seat till 3 p. m.; 49.62 percent voting was recorded on Haridwar Lok Sabha seat till 3 p. m.; 49.94 percent voting was recorded on Nainital-Udham Singh Nagar Lok Sabha seat till 3 p. m.; while 43.61 percent voting was recorded till 3 p. m. on Tehri Lok Sabha seat.
Till 1 p. m., an average of 37.33 percent voting was recorded in all five Lok Sabha constituencies of Uttarakhand. Till 1 p. m., the highest turnout was 40.64 percent in Nainital-Udham Singh Nagar Lok Sabha constituency. 39.41 percent voting was recorded in Haridwar; 36.60 percent voting was recorded on Pauri Lok Sabha seat. The lowest turnout was recorded at 35.29 percent on Tehri Lok Sabha seat by 1 p. m., while 32.60 percent voting took place on Almora seat till 1 p.m.
An average 24.83 percent voting was recorded in Uttarakhand till 11 a. m. As much as 23.23 percent voting voting was recorded on Tehri Lok Sabha seat; 26.47 percent voting was recorded on Haridwar Lok Sabha seat; 24.43 percent on Garhwal Lok Sabha seat; 22.21 percent on Almora Lok Sabha seat; and 26.46 percent on Nainital Udham Singh Nagar Lok Sabha seat.
Till 9 a. m., an average of 10.54 percent voting was recorded in Uttarakhand.
A total of 55 candidates are trying their luck on these five seats. BJP has fielded Anil Baluni on Pauri Garhwal seat. Baluni is in competition with Congress’s Ganesh Godiyal. The contest on Haridwar seat is being considered the hottest in the state. Here BJP’s candidate and former CM Trivendra Rawat is contesting against Virender Rawat of Congress. Independent MLA Umesh Kumar is also contesting from Haridwar seat. On Tehri Garhwal seat, BJP’s Mala Rajya Laxmi Shah is contesting against Congress’s Jot Singh Gunsola. Independent Bobby Panwar also made his presence felt as far as campaigning is concerned. BJP’s Ajay Bhatt is contesting against Congress’s Prakash Joshi on Nainital-Udham Singh Nagar seat. BJP’s Ajay Tamta is contesting against Congress’s Pradeep Tamta on Almora-Pithoragarh seat.
