Lok Sabha elections: Why voting has increased across India

New Delhi: Except Mumbai, Bangalore and some parts of Kashmir, voting has been very good across India in the last 6 phases. In most Lok Sabha constituencies the voting has crossed 70-75 per cent on an average. In some seats, it has crossed even 80-85 per cent.

The politicial parties are trying to interpret the high turn out in many ways. The BJP claims that it is an anti-government vote and the people are registering their protest by coming out to vote in big numbers.

The Congress is claiming that the people are coming out in large numbers to halt the BJP's victory.

But, there are some plausible reasons behind the high turn out.

These days Lok Sabha elections are fought like Assembly or local body elections. Most candidates reach out to their voters and canvas in most parts of their constituency. Even their booth level voters get voters to the booth.

Communication revolution is also playing a big role in increasing the voting percentage. Voters can be easily reached via mobile phones these days. If the voting is less in a booth, the local workers can get more people to vote by just making a few calls.

Better road connectivity. Most villages which had no road have also got some sort of motorable road in the last 10-15 years. Even ordinary farmers and other villagers have got their vehicles. Most villages have a bus or some transport service.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has opened polling stations at most of the villages irrespective of their population. Even in cities and towns, it has opened more booths to reduce crowding at the place. One can complete his/her voting in a few minutes.

ECI has launched a big campaign to encourage voters to come out in large numbers. It has got a big budget for this.

The reach of television is also playing a major role in getting the people at remote places to polling booths.

The elections have now become almost incidents free. The tight security arrangements and the introduction of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) have made voting foolproof. Voters don't need to fear anybody or worry about anything when they go to vote. Booth capturing and violence have now become a thing of the past.