#IndiaDecidesOn18th: Interesting records of Gujarat elections 2017!
Did you know that during Gujarat election 2017, at 80, Congress won the highest number of seats since 1985? Moreover, at 99, BJP won the lowest number of seats since 1990. During the course of his campaign, Congress president Rahul Gandhi visited more than two dozen temples to woo Hindu voters. We bring you many such statistics observed during the remarkably high-octane BJP-Congress election.
Rahul and Modi addressed more than 60 rallies combined!
Since the day elections were announced on October 25, PM Modi and Congress president Rahul Gandhi have addressed a total 64 rallies. Apart from discharging his prime-ministerial functions, Modi found time to address 34 rallies to ensure that his home-state does not betray BJP. Rahul addressed 30 public rallies wooing voters with employment and slamming BJP's economic policies. Additionally, they also attended corner meetings/sabhas.
Women have poor representation; but all-women polling stations promoted
No matter who won the elections, it was a lose-lose situation for women. For Gujarat's 182 seats, BJP fielded only 11 women candidates and Congress 10. This, despite the fact, that 48% of its voters are women. Ironically, in a state with low women representation, EC experimented with all-women polling stations. This means, all the polling staff and police and security personnel were women.
Voter turnout reduced by about 2% since last year
At an average of 71%, 2012 continued to remain the highest voter turnout in Gujarat since the state's inception. This year, the voter turnout was 69%, down by 2%. Further, Congress's 1985 vote-share of 55% continued to remain unbeaten. Though Congress saw a jump of 2% since 2012 polls, at 41%, it wasn't even close to the 1985-mark.
Meanwhile, here are some other interesting facts
Meanwhile, demographically, over 50% voters in Gujarat are aged under 40. For the first time, Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines were used during these elections. Using the VVPAT, the voter can confirm that his/her vote has gone to the candidate of his/her choice.
