Low Voters’ Turnout In 20 Legislative Assembly Constituencies (LACs)

GUWAHATI: The latest figures of voters’ turnout as brought out by the Election Commission of India (ECI) of the recently concluded three-phase Parliamentary polls in Assam indicate that though it created an all-time record with 81.52 per cent yet several Legislative Assembly Constituencies (LACs) where a large number of indigenous people reside and those based primarily in upper Assam, the turnout of electorates was not at all satisfactory. On the other hand, voters’ turnout in the minority-dominated LACs in lower Assam recorded a much higher turnout just like in the previous elections.

The total voters enlisted was 2,19,91,112. The 2019 general elections in Assam were held on April 11, 18, and 23.

Of the 14 House of People Constituencies (HPCs) in Assam, Lakhimpur HPC recorded the lowest turnout of voters at 75.05 per cent, followed by Dibrugarh (77.26 %), Autonomous District-Diphu (77.47%), and Jorhat (77.49%).

However, the turnout of electorates in the Dhubri HPC – which is minority-dominated – was 90.66 per cent. Three Legislative Assembly segments under Dhubri HPC recorded high voters’ turnout this time. These are Jaleswar (93.86%), South Salmara (92.37%), and Golakganj (91.73%).

Among the 20 LACs that indicated below the overall State average voters’ participation of 81.52% this time, six are under Lakhimpur HPC, five under Dibrugarh HPCs, four under Kaliabor HPC, two under Jorhat HPC – all in upper Assam; and one each in the Autonomous District-Diphu, Tezpur and Gauhati HPCs.

Under Lakhimpur HPC, the six LACs showing less than 80 per cent voters’ participation are Dhemaji (70.16%), Sadiya (71.49%), Majuli (71.96%), Dhakuakhana (72.04%), Lakhimpur (74.48%), and Jonai (75.80%).

The five LACs under Dibrugarh HPC having less than 80 per cent voters’ turnout are Naharkatia (75.82%), Tinsukia (75.95%), Duliajan (76.17%), Moran (76.30%), and Dibrugarh (76.81%).

The four LACs under Kaliabor HPC having less than 80 per cent voters’ turnout are Dergaon (73.53%), Golaghat (76.36%), Khumtai (76.91%), and Sarupathar (76.93%).

The two LACs under Jorhat HPC indicating lower than 80 per cent voters’ turnout are Teok (73.12%), and Titabar (76.28%).

The LACs recording much less than the State average of voters’ turnout are Bihpuria (74%) under Tezpur Parliamentary constituency, Guwahati-East (72.93%) under Gauhati HPC, and Diphu (74.77%) under Autonomous District-Diphu HPC. Against this backdrop, it needs to be analyzed as to why there was a comparatively lesser enthusiastic response from among the electorates in the LACs where indigenous people reside. It is worth mentioning that the EC conducted Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) programme across the State. It is the ECI’s flagship programme for voter education, spreading voter awareness and promoting voter literacy in India. It has been operational since 2009.

The percentage during the 2014 general elections in the State was 80.21 per cent which was a record in the State up till then. The total voters during the 2014 polls was 1,88,04,421. During the 2009 general elections, the voters’ turnout was 69.58 per cent. The total listed voters then was 1,74,43,617. However, the turnout of voters during the last Assembly polls in 2016 was 84.72 per cent which is also a record. The total number of voters was 1,99,47,690.

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