In the 2004 elections, Kolar polled the highest (72.13%), whereas Bengaluru South recorded the lowest at 49.42%. The gap in the voting percentage in these two constituencies was about 23%. Cut to 2019, the gap between the highest polled constituency (Mandya - 80.23%) and the lowest (Bengaluru South - 53.47%) has only grown. There is a difference of about 27%, an increase by about 5% compared with what it was 15 years ago.
Also, an analysis of last four general elections shows a pattern of how a few constituencies have consistently voted better, whereas a few have always remained at the bottom with a very thin growth in voter turnout. Constituencies like Dakshina Kannada, Kolar and Chikkaballapur have seen a voter turnout of above 70%, whereas the turnout in constituencies in Bengaluru Urban, Raichur and Kalaburagi (Gulbarga) have never crossed 60%.
The challenge before the election authorities is not only to sustain the higher voter turnout but also to reduce the gap and ensure that even the lowest-polled constituencies fare better in future elections.
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