While the political outcome of elections in four states and a Union territory must wait till May 4, there's one instant takeaway: the staggering voter turnout. 92.47% in West Bengal, 85.10% Tamil Nadu, 85.38% Assam, 89.83% Puducherry, and 78% Kerala. The first four are records. Oh, and in all 5 polls, women have outnumbered men at polling stations.
This surge was partly anticipated when Bihar - with a weak turnout history, and the first state to come under SIR - had a record 67% assembly election turnout last year. With removal of those absent, shifted, dead and duplicates from electoral rolls, a significant upward correction in turnout was expected. SIR also forced sensitisation about the value of being a voter.
