Ahmedabad, the biggest city and economic capital of Gujarat is highly disappointing when it comes to perform a citizen’s basic duty – to reach a polling booth and caste vote on polling day. During last three elections held in the state, the polling percetage has remained below 63%. When the state goes to polls on 7th May in third phase of parliamentary elections 2024, the extreme heat in the region is unlikely to help improve the polling figures either.
During 2019 Lok Sabha Elections, Ahmedabadt could not figure in the list of top 15 seats having highest polling in Gujarat. The honour of highest votes polled in 2029 Lok Sabha elections went to Valsad (75.48%) and Chhota Udepur ( 73.90%) , both the seats reserved for Scheduled Tribes. The figures debunk the myth that education and urbanisation translates into awareness among citizens about the value of their voting rights.
Ahmedabad city has two Lok Sabha seats, Ahmedabad East and Ahmedabad West. In 2009, the voting in Ahmedabad East was only 42.5% whereas in 2014, it was 61.59% and in 2019, it was 61.76%. Ahmedabad west did not fare better either. In 2009, the voting in Ahmedabad West was 48.22%, in 2014, 62.93% and in 2019 it was 60.81%.
The polling will be held on 7th May in Gujarat which falls on a Tuesday. It is apprehended that a large number of people might make it a long weekend by combining Saturday, Sunday and a leave on Monday the 6th to plan a mini vacation. Coupled with the extreme heat, the scenario might affect the voter turnout in the city.
