Andhra Pradesh posts record voter turnout at 81.86 percent, highest in India

AMARAVATI: The final polling percentage in Andhra Pradesh was 81.86 percent, announced Andhra Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) MK Meena on Wednesday.

CEO Mukesh Kumar Meena said that in the four phases of polling held so far in this general election, Andhra Pradesh recorded the highest voter turnout in the country. This significant turnout reflected a higher level of voter engagement in the state.

He disclosed that 81.86 percent of the votes were cast in the state, with 80.66 percent cast through EVMs and the remaining votes cast through ballot papers.

The total votes cast through EVMs across Andhra Pradesh were 3,33,40,560, with male votes numbering 1,64,30,359, female votes numbering 1,69,08,684, and transgender votes numbering 1,517.

The total votes cast through EVMs were 80.66 percent. Votes cast through postal ballots were 4,44,216 (votes of employees on election duty), and 53,573 votes were cast through the home vote option (votes of the elderly, disabled, and seriously ill).

The total voter percentage, including EVMs, postal ballots, and home votes, was 81.86 percent, which was 2.12 percent higher than the 2019 election percentage.

In 3,500 polling centers, polling continued even after 6 pm, with the last polling center completing at 2 am. Some voters cast votes for the Assembly elections but did not vote for the Lok Sabha. EVMs were secured in 350 strong rooms, and 3,33,40,560 people exercised their right to vote for parliamentary elections, said AP CEO MK Meena.

He said, "The rioters will be arrested within two days, and strict action will also be taken against the negligent policemen. Those who vandalised EVMs will be sent to jail. Police pickets will continue in 715 areas."