Lok Sabha Polls 2024: Voter turnout in India’s 2024 Lok Sabha elections has been variable, with six phases completed so far. While some phases had better turnout than the 2019 general elections, others had a drop in participation. Turnout fell slightly in the first three phases, but increased marginally in the fourth and fifth phases. The sixth round, conducted on May 25, had an overall turnout of 63.36%, which was lower than the corresponding phase in the last general election.
Voter turnout varies according to a variety of circumstances, including voter fatigue, weather conditions, and local political dynamics. It is worth noting that include postal ballots in the final results may have an impact on overall voter participation rates. As the elections approach their conclusion on June 1, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has stressed the significance of the real data from Form 17C, which will serve as the definitive source for the final voter participation estimates.
The results, which are slated to be announced on June 4, will provide a comprehensive picture of the electorate’s participation in this critical democratic exercise, as well as insights into the factors that influence voter behavior and engagement.
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Lok Sabha Polls 2024: Phase 1-5 Voter Turnout
The first three phases of the 2024 elections saw a slight decrease in voter turnout compared to 2019.
In the first phase on April 19, 102 constituencies went to the polls, recording a turnout of 66.14% – down from 69.29% in the corresponding phase in 2019. The second phase on April 26, which saw 88 seats vote, recorded a turnout of 66.71%, lower than the 69.43% in 2019.
The third phase on May 7, which covered 93 constituencies, generated a turnout of 65.68%, up from 66.58% in 2019. However, the pattern inverted in the fourth and fifth phases. The fourth phase on May 13, with 96 seats voting, had a turnout of 69.16%, somewhat better than the 68.8% in the same phase in 2019.
The fifth round on May 20, which covered 49 constituencies, saw a turnout of 62.2%, up from 61.82% in 2019. Notably, women voters (67.18%) turned out slightly more than men (67.02%) during this phase, reversing a previous tendency.
Phase 6 Voter Turnout
The penultimate sixth round of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, held on May 25, saw a total voter turnout of 63.36%.
This phase included polling in 58 seats throughout eight states and union territories, including 14 in Uttar Pradesh, 10 in Haryana, 8 in Bihar and West Bengal, 7 in Delhi, 6 in Odisha, 4 in Jharkhand, and 1 in Jammu and Kashmir.
The turnout in this phase was slightly lower than the 64.73% registered in the same period during the 2019 general elections. However, because it excludes postal ballots, the ultimate turnout is expected to be higher.
West Bengal had the highest voter turnout during this phase, with 82.71%, up from 79.5% in 2019. Odisha and Jharkhand also had large turnouts (74.45% and 65.39%, respectively).
In contrast, Uttar Pradesh had the lowest turnout at 54.04%, a decrease from 57.33% in the 2019 elections. Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag-Rajouri seat, which was redrawn following delimitation, had a turnout of 54.46%, the highest in decades.
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The turnout in the Delhi National Capital Region (NCR), where all seven parliamentary constituencies cast ballots in this round, was 58.69%, a decrease from 60.6% in 2019. There were declines in voter turnout in some states, including Bihar (57%) and Haryana (64.8%) when compared to the previous election.
Notably, the pattern from the previous round continued with 3% more female voters than male voters. Male voter turnout was 61.48%, while female voter participation was 64.95%.
Phase-wise Voter Turnout Comparison
Comparing the voter turnout across the six phases completed so far, a mixed trend emerges:
- Phase 1 (April 19): 66.14% vs 69.29% in 2019 (-3.15 percentage points)
- Phase 2 (April 26): 66.71% vs 69.43% in 2019 (-2.72 percentage points)
- Phase 3 (May 7): 65.68% vs 66.58% in 2019 (-0.9 percentage points)
- Phase 4 (May 13): 69.16% vs 68.8% in 2019 (+0.36 percentage points)
- Phase 5 (May 20): 62.2% vs 61.82% in 2019 (+0.38 percentage points)
- Phase 6 (May 25): 63.36% vs 64.73% in 2019 (-1.37 percentage points)
The first three phases exhibited a decrease in turnout compared to 2019, but the fourth and fifth phases saw small gains. The sixth phase saw a somewhat lower turnout than the same phase in the previous general election.
Reasons for Fluctuating Turnout
Experts attribute variations in voter participation to a variety of reasons, including voter tiredness, weather conditions, and local political dynamics.
The drop in turnout during the early phases could be attributed to voter fatigue, given the elections were stretched out over a longer period than in prior years. The staggered polling schedule, caused by logistical and security issues, may have dampened enthusiasm in some areas.
Weather conditions, particularly the start of summer heat in some parts of the country, may have deterred some people from going out to vote.
Local political variables, such as the competitiveness of certain constituencies and political party mobilization efforts, may have had an impact on turnout in specific regions. One possible explanation for the disparity in voter turnout between West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh could be the intensity of local political rivalry.
Following the announcement of the results, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has stated that precise voter turnout statistics, including postal ballots, will be accessible. Votes cast by mail are not included in the present data; only votes cast using electronic voting machines (EVMs) are.
Postal Ballots and Final Turnout
Postal ballots, which include votes cast by service members, senior persons, and those on election duty, contribute significantly to overall voter turnout. These ballots are counted on the day of the results and may influence the final turnout estimates.
The ECI has said that the actual data from Form 17C, which was supplied with the candidates’ agents on polling day, will take precedence over the provisional turnout estimates released during the election process. This means that the final voter turnout may differ from the current data.
Conclusion
The six rounds of voting in India’s 2024 Lok Sabha elections have seen varying levels of voter turnout. While turnouts in some phases were higher than in 2019, participation fell in others. The first three phases had a modest decline in turnout, while the fourth and fifth phases saw a slight gain. On May 25, the sixth round was held. The total turnout was 63.36%, which was less than the same phase in the previous general election.
Voter tiredness, weather circumstances, and local political dynamics have all been proposed as possible explanations for turnout changes. The inclusion of postal ballots in the final results may have an impact on overall voter turnout.
As the elections approach their final phase on June 1, the ECI has stressed the importance of actual data from Form 17C, which will be the official source for final voter turnout estimates. The results, which are set to be announced on June 4, will provide a thorough picture of the electorate’s involvement in this critical democratic activity.
