Low voter turnout prompts knocking on doors of residents in Hyderabad
HYDERABAD: Owing to poor voter turnout in Hyderabad Parliament Constituency during the Telangana Lok Sabha Elections 2024, people were spotted knocking the gates and doors of residents, urging them to come out and vote.
Voter response in Hyderabad to the Lok Sabha elections 2024 remained muted even as the Telangana state government declared a paid holiday on May 13, 2024 (Monday) to enable the electorate to exercise their vote and perform their civic duty. At a tardy pace, the Hyderabad parliamentary constituency saw the lowest turnout with just 5 percent of votes cast in the first two hours.
This low voting percentage prompted supporters in the old city to knock on the main doors and gates of several residents, calling them to cast their votes. While some viewed this as a form of educating people to participate in elections, others raised concerns about privacy intrusion.
Twitterati’s response to door-knocking
Replicating the atmosphere during the Telangana Assembly elections in 2023, the less-than-desired interest in elections is evident in Hyderabad residents. However, is it right to knock on doors for votes?
#Hyderabad—- With low percentage of voting being recorded in Hyderabad Parliament Constituency, people were spotted knocking the gates and doors of residents to come out and vote. pic.twitter.com/ep9DZwLe1G
— @Coreena Enet Suares (@CoreenaSuares2) May 13, 2024
‘best to educate people to cast their votes’, says one user, while another calls it ‘Harassment’
High respects to these citizens who are trying their best to educate people to cast their votes 🙏
— Prasad_Ram (@bprasad921) May 13, 2024
Harassment?
— Mazhar (@mazharsrk26) May 13, 2024
Responding to people’s lack of interest in voting, some raised concerns that the fundamental of constituency is at stake
Absolutely irresponsible and Shameful behaviour, Ppl should realize how important a Vote is ! This attitude of not voting is worst behaviour ! Please vote HYD
— A z E e M 🔆 (@princeeazeem) May 13, 2024
Some others, although disappointed with low voter turnout, said, ‘Forced voting is equally dangerous’
Forced voting is equally dangerous. It is like taking people for granted that they will vote for them only.
— Sai Bharadwaj (@saibharadwaj) May 13, 2024
Polling percentage across constituencies in Telangana
The city’s polling percentage showed much better turnouts later in the day, as the percentage of voting in Hyderabad constituency went up to 29 percent by around 3:30PM, while at 10 AM the percentage of voters in the city was only at 5 percent and at around 11am, it went up to 10 percent.
However, Hyderabad failed to reach at least half mark as per the Election Commission of India App. In contrast, the voter turnout in 14 of the 17 Lok Sabha constituencies in Telangana crossed halfway mark with an average voter turnout of 61.16 per cent as of 5PM
#Telangana– At 5 PM the poll percentage stands at 61.16%
Lowest —
Hyderabad: 39.17%
Secunderabad- 42.48%
Malkajgiri- 46.25%Highest—
Bhongir- 72.34%
Zahirabad- 71.91%
Medak- 71.33%Check your constituency here 👇 pic.twitter.com/63MiY4LlK7
— @Coreena Enet Suares (@CoreenaSuares2) May 13, 2024
The voting began at 7 am and ended at 6 pm, barring a few places where it concluded early.