Polling percentage breaks previous records, 15% high from 2009

Breaking record of voter turnout in Lok Sabha polls, Rajasthan on Thursday in the first phase of voting in 20 LS seats recorded 63.43 per cent polling - an increase of 15 per cent from 2009 parliamentary elections.

The highest voter turnout recorded in Lok Sabha elections in the state so far was 60.26 per cent in 1998, Chief Electoral Officer Ashok Jain said.  Ganganagar recorded the highest turnout of 72.74 per cent, 11 per cent higher than the turnout registered in 2009 polls, followed by Barmer where 71. 6 per cent voters exercise their right to vote, Jain said.

This keenly watched constituency, where expelled BJP leader Jaswant Singh contested as Independent candidate, recorded 17 per cent increase in the turnout. Bikaner was the constituency with lowest turnout of 57.9 per cent.

Polling was disrupted briefly due to the technical snag in 424 EVMs at few polling booths but the balloting units were replaced. The voting held peacefully and no untoward incident was reported from anywhere, he said.

All the constituencies have registered increase in voter turnout. Maximum increase as compared to the last LS elections was 21 per cent (Jalore and Kota) and the minimum increase was 8 per cent, he informed.

Voter turn out in last parliamentary elections in the 20 constituencies was 48.09 per cent. He attributed the increase to extensive voter awareness campaign which was carried out with collaboration of social organizations and NGOs.  The final voter turnout will come after the polling in remaining 5 constituencies where it is slated for April 24.

The CEO said around 320 election-related complaints were received and of them, 225 were redressed and the rest were under process.  There were also reports from 3-4 places of people boycotting election but they were convinced for voting.  However, he said, there was report that people boycotted elections at one place.  During the electioneering, Jain said, 13 cases of paid news were confirmed.

Illegal liquor worth Rs 12 crore and Rs five crore cash were seized during the election period.