21 May LOW URBAN VOTER TURNOUT

THIS ARTICLE COVERS ‘DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS’ AND THE TOPIC DETAILS OF “LOW URBAN VOTER TURNOUT”. THIS TOPIC IS RELEVANT IN THE “POLITY AND GOVERNANCE” SECTION OF THE UPSC CSE EXAM.

Why in the News?

After the recently concluded Fifth phase of Lok Sabha elections, The Election Commission (EC) mentioned in a statement that parliamentary constituencies in cities like Mumbai, Thane, Nashik, and Lucknow have maintained the pattern of urban voter indifference observed in 2019.

What is “Urban Apathy”?

• In the context of elections, “urban apathy” refers to the disinterest or lack of engagement among city dwellers in the voting process. Low voter turnout in urban areas signals a widespread sense of indifference or disillusionment with the political system and voting. 
• This issue is particularly troubling as it can result in the underrepresentation of urban perspectives in the democratic process and affect the legitimacy and effectiveness of elections in urban districts.

Reasons for Urban Apathy

• Urban Apathy: Urban voters exhibit a noticeable lack of enthusiasm and engagement, often termed “urban apathy.” Many city residents feel disconnected from the political process and doubt the impact of their vote.
• Depoliticisation and Informality: The politically disengaged environment in cities and the widespread informal employment sectors hinder individuals from engaging with urban issues and politics, leading to a disinterest in voting.
• Anonymity and Disconnection: The prevalent anonymity and disconnection in large cities foster a sense of alienation, reducing individuals’ sense of belonging and motivation to participate in elections.
• Voter List Issues: Issues like improper deletions, duplicate entries, and incorrect polling booth registrations due to migration and inter-city movement cause confusion and frustration among urban voters.
• Apathetic Candidates: Many urban voters, particularly from the middle class and younger generations, struggle to relate to candidates who are often feudal lords, have criminal backgrounds, or are celebrities with limited political knowledge.
• Prioritising Work: Daily wage earners and professionals frequently prioritise work over voting, even on polling holidays, due to the financial impact of taking time off.
• Lack of Awareness: Insufficient knowledge about the electoral process and the significance of voting also contributes to the low voter turnout in urban areas.
• Climate change and Heat waves: Lok Sabha elections generally take place during peak summertime, and excessive heat reduces voter turnout.

Impact of Lower voter turnout

• Skewed Representation: When urban voters, who make up a substantial part of the electorate, do not participate in elections, urban issues and concerns become underrepresented in the political process. This can result in policies and decisions that fail to adequately address urban citizens’ needs and aspirations.
• Altered Electoral Dynamics: Low turnout among urban voters can shift the balance of power between political parties and candidates. In closely contested elections, the absence of urban voters can tip the scales in favour of other demographic groups or regions with higher voter participation, leading to outcomes that may not reflect the true preferences of the entire electorate.
• Weakened Accountability: Urban apathy diminishes the pressure on elected officials to address urban issues and fulfil their promises. When urban voters are disengaged, politicians may feel less obligated to prioritise urban development and responsive governance, weakening the accountability mechanism between citizens and their elected leaders.
• Perpetuation of Urban Neglect: The lack of political representation and influence from urban voters can lead to ongoing urban neglect, where cities receive disproportionately lower investments in infrastructure, public services, and social welfare compared to rural areas. This exacerbates urban problems and widens the urban-rural divide.
• Erosion of Democratic Legitimacy: High levels of urban apathy can cast doubt on the legitimacy and representativeness of elected governments. When a significant portion of the urban population remains disengaged from the electoral process, it undermines the democratic principle of inclusive participation. It can lead to a crisis of confidence in the political system.

Initiatives taken by the Election Commission to improve voter turnout

Targeted Outreach and Communication: The ECI has crafted specialised outreach programs tailored to urban constituencies’ distinct needs and demographics. Under the Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) program, innovative voter awareness campaigns are being implemented, including:

• Collaborations with public and private sector organisations on a pro-bono basis.
• Advocacy and partnerships with celebrities to boost voter engagement.

Facilitation at Polling Stations: The ECI is improving queue management at polling stations in urban areas to make voting more convenient. Measures are being taken to facilitate voting in high-rise buildings and congested areas by providing shelter and parking.

Stakeholder Involvement: The ECI actively engages resident welfare associations (RWAs), local icons, and youth influencers to encourage urban voter participation. Municipal Commissioners and District Election Officers (DEOs) are being urged to develop targeted strategies for urban areas and plan interventions accordingly for different target audiences.

Identifying and addressing Challenges at the local level: The ECI has convened meetings with Municipal Commissioners from major cities to identify urban-specific challenges to increasing voter turnout and to develop strategies for enhancing voter engagement. Booth-wise action plans for greater participation and behaviour change are being prepared in collaboration with Municipal Commissioners and DEOs.

Establishing Polling Stations in Housing Societies: To increase voter turnout, the Election Commission has established over 200 polling stations within housing societies in urban areas of Uttar Pradesh. This initiative focuses on urban areas with historically low voter participation, aiming to make voting more accessible for residents in gated communities and multi-storey housing complexes.

Online Voting as an effective alternative?

• Convenience and Accessibility: Online voting enhances convenience and accessibility by allowing individuals to vote from any location with internet access, eliminating barriers such as transportation issues or limited polling station hours.
• Targeting Young Voters: Online voting effectively engages younger generations who are more comfortable with digital technologies. Research indicates that it can significantly boost turnout among younger voters.
• Sense of Belonging: Personalized messages that emphasise the importance of individual participation can foster a sense of belonging and community, encouraging voter turnout.

Despite these benefits, the overall impact of online voting on turnout is mixed. While it improves convenience and accessibility, it is unlikely to engage those already disinterested in politics significantly. Factors such as the importance of the election, the competitiveness of candidates, and the political climate have a more substantial influence on voter turnout.

Download plutus ias current affairs eng med 21th May 2024

Mains Based Question

Q1. Discuss the impact of low urban voter turnout on electoral dynamics and the potential consequences for political representation and accountability.

Vikas Agarwal