After dismal first round, ECI asks people to vote in large numbers in second phase in Gujarat

State registers an average voter turnout of 63.31%, lower that its 2017 tally of 67.80% in 89 seats

In the wake of poor turnout in the first phase of Gujarat Assembly polls, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has appealed to the urban voters of Gujarat to come out in large numbers to vote in the second phase of polls to be held on December 5.

In the first phase of polling held on December 1, the turnout was 63.31%, which is lower than what was registered in 2017 when it polled 67.80% in 89 seats that went for voting in the first phase.

The first phase covered 19 districts of Saurashtra and South Gujarat regions. Surat, Rajkot, and Jamnagar have recorded lower than the State average voter turnout of 63.3%, raising concerns about the voter apathy or fatigue factor in the crucial election.

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In a rare appeal in the middle of the election, the poll body tweeted: “Urban apathy continues unabated from Shimla to Surat. ECI appeals to voters of Gujarat to come out in large numbers during second phase to compensate for low voting in 1st phase.” 

Particularly in urban pockets like Surat, Rajkot and Jamnagar, which have been the bastions of the ruling party, a lower percentage of voting has raised concerns in Gujarat where this election has been a dull season despite high-voltage campaigning by the ruling party and the new political entrant — Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) — in the State.

Shocked by the lower turnout, the ruling party doubled down its campaigning for the second phase with Prime Minister Modi holding two mega roadshows in Ahmedabad city that goes for the polling in the second phase.