Tribals and rural folks outnumber city voters

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, May 8, 2014:  Despite publicity blitzkrieg by the poll authorities, the voter turnout in the district recorded very low compared to the 2009 polls. The voting turnout percentage dropped almost by 2 percent. Voters in rural tracts seem to be more aware of the value of a vote than their urban brethren.

Tribals outnumbered city voters. Araku assembly constituency reserved for ST in Vizag Agency registered voter turnout of 70pc. Among the urban assembly constituencies Vizag South registered, highest voter turnout of 65.50pc less than Araku.

           

While the voter turn out was 72.54 percent in 2009 polls, as per the latest reports, it recorded 70.57 percent in the polls held for Lok Sabha and state Assembly in the district, on Wednesday.  Women outnumbered men in Vizag. Around 10,38,656 women voted whereas men were 10, 22, 697. 

The voting percentage was 66.04 per cent during the 2004 elections. This time election commission, planned several programmes ever since the poll schedule was announced in March, to create awareness among public on the value of the vote and encourage them to come out on the poll day and cast their vote. There were so many advertisements on newspapers, TV, slides in cinemas, radio and hoardings across the district.

Ironically, the turnout for Vizag parliament constituency having, around 5 urban assembly constituencies, dropped by around 5 percent.  It was 72.92 pc in 2009 and this time it was 67.78 pc. Whereas,  Anakapalle, parliament constituency, consisting, voters in rural tracts, registered an impressive turnout of 82.22percent, little more than 79.26 in 2009 polls.

Yelamanchili Assembly segment that recorded the highest turnout of 83.18 pc in 2009 again topped this time too registering an impressive turnout of 85.11pc. Paderu in the Vizag Agency had the lowest turnout, 60.66 pc in 2009 and registered 59.15 pc this time. 

Among the urban assembly constituencies Vizag South registered, highest voter turnout of 65.50pc  and the least Vizag north with 59.87pc. Assembly constituencies in rural areas, registered an impressive turnout of voters compared to urban ones. Pendurthy, having 77 pc turnout is least among the rural assembly segments.

  

First time voters were seen enthusiastically visiting the polling stations to cast their vote.

Following are the percentages of polling recorded in the 15 Assembly segments of the district Bheemili 75.05, Vizag East 64.40 Vizag South 65.50,  Vizag North 59.87,  Vizag West 59.93, Gajuwaka 64.64, Chodavaram 84.51, Madugula 84.56,  Araku 70,  Paderu 59.15,  Anakapalle 82, Pendurthy 77, Yelamanchili 85.11,  Payakaraopeta 80.57  and Narsipatnam 81.82.