Mumbai witnessed a low voter turnout according to the official figures Thursday morning. Only 4.5 percent voters voted till 9.30 am, an official report by BMC stated.
Mumbaikars failed to turn up in numbers to vote in the ongoing BMC elections in the city.u00a0A low voter turnout of 46 per cent was witnessed till 5.30 pm, Thursday.
According to poll officials, the numbers went up significantly since morning when only 4.5 per cent voters voted till 9.30 am.
Here's a look at area-wise voter turnout across the city
ADVERTISEMENT
Borivali
The turnout was low in the morning at Borivali (W) polling booths. However, people are catching up now. As per notifications, a ration card can be brought as an identification proof, only if all family members came in together for voting.
However, due to work commitments and other reasons, family members might not be present all at one time. This has caused confusion and fights at a polling booth for a brief while.
Central Mumbai
At Nagpada and Agripada, where some of the booths are declared sensitive by the election commission, reported a very low turnout till 11 am, however, it remained peaceful.
Large number of police personnel is manning the entire stretch, which looks like a police camp.
There were some reports of disturbances in the Dagdi Chawl area, however, the security forces rubbished the report as rumours when contacted by this reporter.
Mainly people from the age group of 40-50 years turned out to vote, however, the officials are expecting increase in numbers after 2 pm.
Four Bungalows, Lokhandwala, DN Nagar, JVPD
In the morning hours, tables and chairs were placed for helping people check the polling booth with their respective names. People were hardly seen, except for mainly senior citizens who were coming from their morning walks. Around 8.30am, office goers and youngsters started coming in. All this while, police personnel were seen thoroughly checking and asking people to show their voter leaflets.
u00a0
Gradually the queues outside each section of every booth increased. However, the queues were fast moving. Notices and warnings were pasted inside polling booths asking people to refrain from bogus or proxy voting.
u00a0
People standing in queues were seen discussing on their ignorance about the candidates representing different parties in their respective wards.
u00a0
There were few who complained about spelling mistakes in the voting list, though they were allowed to vote.u00a0
u00a0
Although, the government declared February16 as a government holiday, the younger lot was missing from voting.
u00a0
Mulund, Thane and Bhandup
Many elderly residents were found queuing up since morning and the voters' turnout seemed to be average. However, the numbers are expected to rise by afternoon as younger voters are expected to turn up. Amid tight security residents, however, seemed to be in a holiday mood.
u00a0
Andheri West and Versova
The voting for the 227 BMC seats started with a good response in these western suburban areas . When Mid-Day visited the polling booth of Ward no- 57 located at KPS school at Sardar Vallabhai Patel Nagar in Andheri (W) at around 7.35 am, there were small lines at the polling booths.
u00a0
Heavy police security was deployed at the polling booth in SVP Nagar and Versova. Mid-Day also spoke to the first voter who caste his vote at the polling booth in KPS school.u00a0
u00a0
Ganesh Sarvankar, a resident of Four Bungalow said, "I have come to cast my vote directly from my office. I was on night duty and while returning I decided that as a responsible citizen I will first cast my vote and then go home. It makes me feel proud that I was the first person to cast vote in my Ward."
u00a0
When this correspondent visited the polling both in Seven Bungalow area we saw that heavy security measures were taken inside as well as outside the polling booths.u00a0 In order to avoid any untoward incidents happening and after looking at the political rivalry between the Shiv Sena and MNS party workers, heavy security was also deployed on the road.
u00a0
In order to bring their voters to the polling booths, political parties have also organised vehicles to bring in their voters.
Complete voter turnout list
Mumbai-
7.30 am to 9.30am - 7.00 %
9.30 to 11.00 am - 15.45 %
11.00 to 1.30 pm- 25.37 %
1.30 to 3.30 pm-u00a0 35.7 %
3.30 pm to 5.30pm- 46 %
u00a0
Thane-
7.30 am to 9.30am - 11.65 %
9.30 to 11.00 am - 23.56 %
11.00 to 1.30 pm- 33.60 %
1.30 to 3.30 pm-u00a0 45.45 %
3.30 pm to 5.30pm- 52 %
u00a0
(provisional figures)
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
