City does it again,only 45.98% vote

South Mumbai maintained its consistently poor record with a one per cent increase in the voting percentage from the Lok Sabha elections. In April 2009,40 per cent voter turnout was reported in South Mumbai. Television images of Anil Ambani turning up to cast his vote early morning at the Colaba Assembly constituency did not enthuse most tony voters in the constituency,which reported the island city’s lowest voting turnout of 36 per cent this time. Likewise,Malabar Hill recorded a low 40 per cent voter turnout despite efforts of 14 residents’ associations to make people vote through 15,000 posters,phone calls,e-mails and text messages. “We expected at least over 50 per cent turnout,” said Indrani Malkani,secretary of Malabar Hill Residents Association.

In Vandre West,plush areas such as Palli Hill,Union Park,27 Road Khar recorded low turnouts while the slum and middle class localities of Guzderband,Khar Danda,Daulatnagar saw higher turnouts. “When we went to certain affluent areas of Pali Hill,people had no clue who their candidates were. Our job,otherwise,is just to ask people to come out and vote but here,we had to explain to people who the candidates are and what has been their work in the recent past,” said local activist Sandra Shroff.

The poor show was visible in certain slums pockets also as Vandre East,with its predominantly slum population,figured among the constituencies with lowest voter turnouts in the suburbs.

The ten constituencies in entire Mumbai city showed a marginal rise in voting percentage with the maximum turnout (50 per cent) being reported from the prestigious Mahim constituency,where Sena’s Adesh Bandekar contested against Sena rebel and Congress candidate Sada Sarvankar.

“Usually,there is some increase in Assembly elections as compared to the Lok Sabha elections. We had expected the voting per cent to be around 60 per cent but now it doesn’t look like the final figures for Mumbai will go beyond 50 to 52 per cent,” said Mumbai suburban collector Vishwas Patil.

Turnout in city constituencies
178-Dharavi (SC) 42
179-Sion Koliwada 38
180-Wadala 49
181-Mahim 50
182-Worli 42
183-Shivadi 46
184-Byculla 40
185-Malabar Hill 40
186-Mumbadevi 36
187-Colaba 36

In suburbs
152-Borivali 48
153-Dahisar 47
154-Magathane 54
155-Mulund 50
156-Vikhroli 52.54
157-Bhandup West 54.66
158-Jogeshwari East 51.65
159-Dindoshi 52
160-Kandivali East 48
161-Charkop 42
162-Malad West 42.54
163-Goregaon 50
164-Versova 40.39
165-Andheri West 40
166-Andheri East 49
167-Vile Parle 42.45
168-Chandivali 45.16
169-Ghatkopar 48
170-Ghatkopar East 52
171-Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar 48
172-Anushakti Nagar 52
173-Chembur 50
174-Kurla (SC) 44
175-Kalina 45
176-Vandre East 45
177-Vandre West 43.12
(All figures in percentage)

Terror-hit Colaba shuns booths
The Colaba area that witnessed terror at Taj Mahal Hotel,Nariman House and Cafe Leopold during the 26/11 attacks last year showed the poorest voter turnout in the island city,with barely 36 per cent of voters showing up to vote. Nearly 11 months after the attack in and around Nariman House,the turnout was dismal.

According to figures provided by the returning officer,Colaba that has 2,67,333 registered voters recorded 35.85 per cent turnout.

The poor turnout followed the public outcry over the attacks with endless candlelight vigils to Gateway of India and mobilisation by various NGOs. The voter turnout was also poor during the 2009 Lok Sabha polls as Mumbai South constituency recorded 43.40 per cent turnout.