Posh SoBo seat sees poor turnout again

Mumbai: Despite appeals by senior leaders, celebrities and sportspersons, voters’ response in Mumbai remained below the state and national average. The Mumbai South and Kalyan constituencies saw the least interest in the election. Colaba, which is home to some of the most prominent people in the city, saw a poor voter response. On the other hand, Palghar, which is a tribal seat among eight seats in the Mumbai region, witnessed the highest turnout. However, candidates expressed satisfaction as the voter turnout was better than 2014 in almost all seats.

Polling was held in six constituencies in Mumbai and 11 other seats in the state in the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha poll in the state. In South Mumbai, 50 per cent polling was registered at the end of the day. Kalyan was the lowest among other constituencies as 42.83 per cent voting was registered.

South Mumbai’s voting percentage has increased from the figure seen during the 2009 LS polls: 40.3 per cent. This year, 50 per cent polling was registered in the constituency by 6 pm. In 2014, the figure stood at 52.48 per cent. This year, Worli, Sewri, Byculla, Malabar Hill, Mumbadevi and Colaba registered 50 per cent, 51 per cent, 53 per cent, 54 per cent, 47 per cent and 46 per cent voter turnout respectively. The lowest response was seen in Colaba, as always.

BJP leader Shaina NC attributed the low turnout to the scorching temperature. “Awareness was th-ere, but due to the heat people did not turn up at polling booths. But it will definitely benefit Shiv Sena-BJP,” she said. Shiv Sena candidate Arvind Sawant, who is contesting the Mumbai South seat, concurred and said, “Residents of Malabar Hill, Sewri, Worli have voted more than the others. Low voting is due to the heat. But still, the response was good.”

In Mumbra–Kalwa only 39 per cent polling was registered whereas in the Kalyan seat, the highest — 44 per cent — voting was registered in Ambernath. In Palghar, 57.60 per cent voting was registered till 5 pm.