I voted

Today, Maharashtra, Haryana, and Arunachal Pradesh witnessed state assembly elections. A few months ago, I stood in a queue for 2 hours for getting my Electors Photo Identity Card, and submitted all the required documents. Unfortunately I haven’t got one yet. My PAN Card came in handy today.

Of the three states that underwent polling today, Maharashtra has the highest literacy rate, but the lowest voter turnout. Mumbai, the capital of Maharashtra, was especially disappointing with a low 50% voter turnout. Yes, there are a lot of people in Mumbai, whose name is not the electoral rolls. But, even of those who are registered as voters, only ~50% voted!

Last time, people said that the low voter turnout in Mumbai was due to elections not being scheduled properly: election holiday + Saturday + Sunday provided people an opportunity to go outside the city for a mini-vacation. This time, the election was scheduled on Tuesday — there is no vacation excuse. And I doubt that uncooperative polling booth administrators are a problem either. At least in my case, the polling booth administrators have always been very friendly and helpful.

What could be the reason, then? Why is PB + D < C? Do people feel that their vote doesn’t count? Or do they feel that elections are future because all parties are same: corrupt and incompetent? Are they apathetic? Or are they simply lazy?