Voter indifference in rural body polls as turnout abysmally low

Polling for the Zila Parishad and Block Samiti elections in the district passed off quietly on Saturday, but voter turnout remained alarmingly low, reflecting widespread public apathy toward the rural local body polls.

As per the figures released by the district administration, only 35 per cent of the electorate exercised its franchise, a sharp fall from previous elections.

A visit to several polling stations across rural areas revealed a subdued atmosphere. Booths that usually witness long queues on the day of election appeared largely deserted, with polling staff waiting for voters who arrived only sporadically. The lack of enthusiasm was visible from the very start of the polling process, which began at 8 am.

By noon, voter turnout had touched just 14 per cent, indicating a slow and hesitant response. Although the percentage rose to 26 per cent by 2 pm, the pace of voting remained sluggish throughout the day. Polling concluded at 4 pm, but even during the final hours, there was no significant rush at most polling stations.

The turnout marked a steep decline from the 2018 Zila Parishad and Block Samiti elections, when the district had recorded a 52 per cent polling. While elections to these local bodies have traditionally been a low-key affair, the current turnout was strikingly poor and came as a surprise to many officials and observers.

Several factors appear to have contributed to the dismal polling percentage. One of the major reasons cited was the boycott announced by the Congress party in three of the five rural Assembly segments of the district. The party later declared that it had stayed away from the elections in protest against what it described as high-handedness by leaders and workers of the ruling Aam Aadmi Party.

However, a general disinterest shown by the voters in these elections, when a large number of incidents of misuse of power and government machinery were reported, is also reflective of the public's disapproval of these tactics.

Out of the total 24 Zila Parishad zones and 195 Block Samiti zones in the district, elections were held in only 21 Zila Parishad zones and 132 Block Samiti zones. The remaining seats had already been decided earlier, with the ruling Aam Aadmi Party winning three Zila Parishad and 63 Block Samiti zones unopposed. This followed the rejection of nomination papers of a large number of candidates, which paved the way for uncontested victories.