Colony dwellers in city went to polling booths in hordes

Naina Mishra

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 20

Colonies in the city have recorded a higher voter turnout of more than 85 per cent while other areas witnessed a dip in poll percentage this Lok Sabha election.

Out of 6.4 lakh voters in the city, nearly one-third were found living in colonies like Dadu Majra, Mauli Jagran, Indira Colony etc. In the last week of campaigning, the party candidates focused more on these areas by organising roadshows and going door to door to solicit votes.

Political parties see colonies as a major vote bank unlike sectors. The BJP had also reportedly brought functionaries from Bihar to connect with the migrants in the city.

Chandigarh recorded an overall voter turnout of 70.62 per cent, a fall by 3.09 per cent from the 2014 General Elections when 73.71 per cent of voters showed up to cast the ballot.

Out of the total 6,46,084 electors, 4,56,264 got themselves inked yesterday.

The highest voter turnout was recorded at 85.41 per cent in areas comprising a slum at Sector 25 with over 2,750 households and Sector 52 Transit House having over 1,251 households.

Maloya Colony saw 84.52 per cent voter turnout while 84 per cent of voters in Dadu Majra Colony showed up at polling stations. Indira Colony at Mani Majra recorded 83.64 per cent turnout.

On the contrary, the lowest turnout was recorded in Sector 31-C where only 47.05 per cent of voters exercised their franchise. These included residential units of the CII, Air Force, 66-kV powerhouses etc. Besides, Sector 47 was among the areas that saw low turnout. Only 50 per cent of voters took part in the democratic process. Bapu Dham Colony residents also did not vote in hordes.

Women outnumber men, again

This year too, women outdid men in voting by recording a polling percentage of 70.83 against 70.42 per cent of the male electorate. Out of 14 Lok Sabha elections in the UT, women beat men in terms of poll percentage on four occasions. The first time women trumped men was in the year 1971. In the 1980 General Elections, men registered 25 per cent more voting percentage than women. On 10 occasions, they got the better of women with a difference of one to two per cent.