Does Increased Voting Percentage Means Anti-Government Vote?The Voting Percentage in Andhra Pradesh Elections is pegged at 79.64%. This is a marginal 1+% increase from 2014 Voting Percentage of 78.41%. Had there been no issues of EVMs Malfunctioning, the Voting would have gone up to 82-83%. Normally, a Popular Theory is that higher Voting Percentage is Anti-incumbency.

By that theory, this is YSR Congress’ Election. However, facts seem to be different. 2009 Elections have recorded Voting Percentage of 2-3% higher than that of 2004 Elections. While everyone expected Mahakutami of TDP, TRS, and Communists to win back then, YSR led Congress came back to Power.

Recently, in Telangana Assembly Elections, the Voting Percentage increased by 2-3% again when compared to 2014 elections, Even pollsters said that it may anti-incumbency and Mahakutami of Congress, TDP, CPI may be at an advantage but again the incumbent government bettered its tally and came back to Power.

So, increased Voting Percentage need not be always indicating that it is an anti-government vote. Voting Awareness is increasing every five years. Moreover, with freebies, tough contests, entry of Janasena, Voting Percentage is bound to increase. We will have to see who will be at the receiving end on May 23rd.