Sat Nov 23 07:14:02 UTC 2024: ## Hadapsar Records Lowest Voter Turnout in Pune Assembly Elections
**Pune, November 22, 2024** – The Hadapsar Assembly constituency, the largest in Pune with 625,675 registered voters, saw the lowest voter turnout in yesterday’s Maharashtra Assembly elections. Despite a high-profile four-way contest featuring prominent political figures and initiatives to encourage participation, only 47.23% of eligible voters cast their ballots – a figure lower than the 2019 election.
The constituency’s low turnout, significantly below expectations, was particularly noticeable in the morning and afternoon. While residential areas reported sparse voter presence, slum areas like Vaiduwadi Mahatma Phule Vasahat and parts of Ramtekdi saw more enthusiastic participation, with queues forming even into the late afternoon. This disparity highlights a concerning trend of lower engagement from urban voters.
The election saw a fierce contest between Prashant Jagtap (NCP-Sharad Pawar faction), sitting MLA Chetan Tupe (NCP-Ajit Pawar group), Sainath Babar (MNS), and independent candidate Gangadhar Badhe. The campaign attracted heavyweights like Sharad Pawar, Supriya Sule, Dr. Amol Kolhe, Raj Thackeray, and former MLA Yogesh Tilekar, yet their presence failed to significantly boost turnout.
Despite the district administration’s efforts, including providing crèche facilities, some polling stations lacked basic amenities like drinking water. The low turnout underscores a challenge in motivating urban voters, even in a high-stakes election with significant campaigning. Analysis of the factors contributing to this low turnout is expected in the coming days.
First Piper 