2019 could have largest voter turnout since 1947: SBI

1% increase could produce the largest turnout since 1947's 67.6%; 2019's current average is 67%

India could witness the highest voter turnout since independence in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections if there is a one per cent increase from the current trend, a research paper by State Bank of India has said.

“After 4 phases of elections, the voting percentage is 67%, almost comparable to 67.6% in 2014.

We believe that if the current trend continues, this year’s turnout rate may cross the previous turnout. It may, in fact, be the highest since independence,” SBI Ecowrap report said.

According to the report, the voter turnout trend over the years suggests Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Assam and Gujarat have registered highest ever voter turnout since 1962 or in last 57 years.

Similarly, Chhattisgarh has seen a 15-year and Maharashtra a 30-year high in voter turnout.

In states like Assam, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh (partial) and Rajasthan (partial) where the percentage of younger voters (aged between 18-25) on an average is more than the national average. There is a 3.3% increase in voter turnout, the report observed.

States like Karnataka, Maharashtra and Kerala where the elderly population is higher than the national average has also witnessed an increase in voter turnout on an average by 1.8%.

Similarly, Karnataka and Kerala that are relatively older states (8.6% elderly population, that is much higher than India average) there is also an increased 1.8% more voting or 11 lakh.

“Clearly, elders are also voting with renewed enthusiasm. Women voters which were previously missing from the electoral process due to various socio-economic reasons, their numbers have come down in 2019 and are also now actively casting their votes,” Soumya Kanti Ghosh, chief economist at SBI said in the report.