Assembly Election 2012: High turnout in Punjab, Uttarakhand fuels suspense

NEW DELHI: A record voter turnout of 77% in Punjab and high 70% polling in Uttarakhand threw political parties into a tizzy as the current round of assembly polls reaches the halfway mark with a major four-cornered contest looming in UP besides a smaller, but no less hard fought showdown in Goa.

Punjab’s massive turnout, which shattered the previous record of 75%, has given rise to speculation about a “wave”.

The voting can also mean both Congress and the Akali-BJP combine have mobilized their bases well. Frustratingly, results will remain shrouded in suspense till March 6 when votes will be counted.

Previously, high turnouts were often associated with anti-incumbency but with state governments in Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Orissa and Haryana managing to return to power in recent years, conventional wisdom has been revised.
The clash in Punjab is between Akali patriarch Parkash Singh Badal and Congress’s Amarinder Singh while in Uttarakhand, chief minister B C Khanduri hopes to pull off an upset win over Congress which has not projected a leader.

The lines at polling booths also seem to indicate that despite anti-politician movements like Team Anna’s Lokpal stir, grassroots democracy is alive and kicking. Lokpal and corruption are poll issues, but there is no cynicism about the political process.
Getting the votes out

Punjab

Candidates: 1,078

Seats: 117

Initial estimates put turnout at 77%, highest ever in state Turnout in 2007 was 75%, highest till then No govt re-elected in state since 1972

Uttarakhand

Candidates: 788

Seats: 70

Turnout 70%, much higher than 59% in 2007 state polls

Counting day: March 6