2019 vs 2024 Gujarat LS polls: Voter turnout declines by 4.6%

Sweltering temperatures, protests by the Kshatriya community, or apathy among citizens might have collectively contributed to Gujarat witnessing its lowest voter turnout in a decade.

After a sluggish voter turnout until 11 am, the voting picked up pace after 3 pm, but still could not match the numbers of last year.

The Lok Sabha elections concluded in Gujarat with a voter turnout of 59.51%, 4.6% less than in 2019, when it was 64.11%.

Notably, the numbers were considerably low before 2014, with 47.49% voter turnout in 2009, 45.16% in 2004 and 47.03% in 1999.

The number game

Lok Sabha elections began in the state with 25 constituencies contesting and one seat declared uncontested. Bye-elections were also held alongside the LS polls on May 7 for five Assembly seats: Khambhat, Manavadar, Vijapur, Porbandar and Waghodia.

Valsad witnessed a massive 72.24% voter turnout, but fell short of the 2019 LS poll turnout of 75.48%.

Amreli continued to record the lowest voter turnout with 49.44% as in the past and much lower than the 55.97% it recorded in 2019.

While Vadodara was top in central Gujarat with 61.33% voter turnout, Rajkot stood highest among Saurashtra districts with 59.60% voter turnout.

In north Gujarat, Banaskantha had the maximum voter turnout with 68.44% voting. Valsad had the highest polling in south Gujarat and across the state with 72.24% polling.

Also read:

55.22% turnout for Gujarat’s Lok Sabha polling: a number’s game

Gujarat polling day highlights: Incidents across the state