Lok Sabha Elections 2024: SBI Research sees reverse trend in phase-wise voter turnout, women outnumbering men. Details here

In the first two phases of Lok Sabha elections 2024, the voter turnout has declined in percentage terms as compared to 2019. However, the number of voters has increased in absolute terms, pointed out a report released by SBI Research on Monday, May 6.

Provisionally, the number of voters in the first two rounds of this general elections rose by 8.7 lakh to 20.7 crore, as per the report published by SBI Research, the research arm of the State Bank of India (SBI). In 2019, the same constituencies witnessed a cumulative voter turnout of 20.6 crore, it said.

Notably, women voters have outnumbered men in the first two phases, added the report titled ‘WHITE NOISE: A J-SHAPED voting on the anvil’. However, the Election Commission of India (ECI) is yet to officially share the demographic details.

ECI has so far only released the polling numbers in percentage terms. According to the polling body, 66.1% voting was recorded in the opening round of the polls on April 19, followed by 66.7% voting in the second phase on April 26. The cumulative turnout is 3.1% lower as compared to corresponding turnout in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Reverse pattern?

In 2019, the voter turnout was high in the first round of elections, at 69.4%, but thereafter declined. In the final phase of the polls, the turnout had dropped to 61.7%.

According to SBI Research, a reverse pattern could be seen this year, with the voter turnout rising in the successive polling rounds.

The first two phases have indicated an ascending voter trend, with the turnout coming at 66.1% in the first phase and 66.7% in the second.

“The numbers can swell in the remaining 5 phases with earnest efforts from the Election Commission of India and based on voter turnout probabilities,” the report said.

Karnataka ahead

The report claimed that Karnataka witnessed the highest increase in voter turnout in absolute terms, followed by Maharashtra and Assam.

The study found that the cumulative number of voters increased by over 1 lakh in 85 constituencies, whereas the status quo remained in another 25 seats.

So far, 191 constituencies have gone to polls. They cover 35% of the country’s registered voters.

Notably, the third phase of the elections will be held on May 7, fourth on May 13, fifth on May 20, sixth on May 25, and the seventh on June 1. The counting of votes has been scheduled by the ECI on June 4.