Thane constituencies see only 6% voter turnout in first two hours

While politicians are anxiously awaiting the events of October 15 as Maharashtra votes in the state assembly elections, Thane residents got off to a lazy start to casting their ballot as the voter turnout registered for the entire district in the first two hours was a paltry 5.78%.

Despite all the promotions, advertisements and canvassing done during election campaigning, polling in Thane started at 7.00 am on a sleepy note. "Until 9.00 am, the polling percentage was 5.78% for the entire district," said Madhavi Sardeshmukh, the deputy district electoral officer.

In the four constituencies of Thane, voter turnout was around just 6% from 7.00 am to 9.00 am. Mumbra-Kalwa registered 6.41%, Kopri-Pachpakhadi had 6.07%, Ovala-Majiwada had 6.06%, and Thane city registered 6.23%.

"It is strange that despite today being a government holiday the voter turnout was so low. Maybe people will wake up late and come according to their convenience by the afternoon," said a polling officer.