Date:30/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/30/stories/2008113053800500.htm

Other States - Madhya Pradesh

Voter turnout in M.P. highest ever

69.31 p.c. voters give their mandate

Poll percentage showing an upward trend since 1980
Polling in a few seats was above eighty per cent

Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh has witnessed a record turnout of 69.31 per cent voters during the State Assembly elections this past week, making it the biggest ever participation by the denizens of the State till now.

According to figures available with the State Election Office, the poll percentage has been showing an upward trend since 1980 and it reached a peak on Thursday, surpassing the 2003 percentage of 67.41 per cent.

The percentage of polling in 1980 was 48.93 and that increased marginally to 49.79 in 1985. This percentage rose to 54.23 in 1993, went up to 60.21 in 1998 and reached a high of 67.41 in 2003. But this time, the percentage has reached an all-time high.

Khilchipur, Shajapur and Malhargarh constituencies recorded polling percentage above 80, while Sheopur, Sewda, Pichhoe and Khurai constituencies had polling percentage above 70 per cent.

The lowest polling percentage of 40.93 was recorded in Ambah and the second lowest was in Jhabua, where it was 53.74 per cent, according to the data. - PTI