MUMBAI: As Maharashtra gears up for the Vidhan Sabha elections on the horizon, the pressing question remains: will voter turnout in metropolitan areas see a significant boost? Six months ago, during the Lok Sabha elections, the state recorded an average voter turnout of 66 percent. However, stark contrasts emerged in major cities like Mumbai, Thane, Nagpur, and Pune, where turnout rates fell below 60 percent. In the recent Lok Sabha elections, voter engagement in Mumbai was particularly concerning, with certain areas such as Colaba witnessing an alarmingly low turnout of just 43.75 percent. This trend of voter apathy has become a headache for the Election Commission, which is now tasked with the daunting challenge of increasing participation in urban locales.
Historical data reveals a gradual decline in voter turnout in these metropolitan areas. While the state as a whole experienced a slight increase from 64.14 percent in the 2019 Assembly elections to 66 percent in the recent Lok Sabha polls, urban areas lagged behind. For instance, Mumbai city recorded a turnout of only 51.36 percent, with the suburbs at 54.96 percent. Similarly, Thane, Pune, and Nagpur had turnout rates of 53.85 percent, 55.19 percent, and 57.48 percent, respectively. In response to this pressing issue, the Election Commission has ramped up its efforts to engage voters through extensive advertising campaigns and door-to-door awareness initiatives.
Chief Election Commissioner Rajeev Kumar had earlier underscored the need for increased voter turnout in urban regions, calling for collective action to address the growing concerns of voter apathy. Local NGOs have also joined the fight, particularly in areas like Kulabaya, where efforts are being made to galvanize residents and bolster turnout. As the election date approaches, the question remains: will these initiatives be enough to inspire a higher voter turnout in Maharashtra’s metropolitan areas? As Maharashtra approaches the 2024 Vidhan Sabha elections, the onus is on citizens to make their voices heard. Only time will tell if the combined efforts of the Election Commission and local organizations will succeed in turning the tide of voter participation in the metros.