Turn-out low in India poll

Press, 5 January 1980, Page 6

Turn-out low in India poll

NZPA-Reuter New Delhi Scattered violence, cold weather, and general disenchantment with, politicians helped to produce a low poll in the first stage of India’s two-part General Election. The average turn-out for the country was 50 per cent in- 244 of the 525 Parliamentary constituencies. The rest will vote tomorrow, rand first results are expected on Monday. The turn-out was 60 per cent in the 1977 elections. Voting was a low 45 per cent in the northern Rae Bareli constituency fought by the. former Prime Minister, Mrs Indira Gandhi, aged 62, whose Congress (I) Party was given the best chance of winning the election. Political commentators said the low turn-out might count against her, but she was still expected to muster more votes than her main contenders, the Janata Party led L / Mr Jagjivan Ram and the Lok Dal' (People’s Party) of Mr Charan Singh. A widespread severe cold spell kept.; many voters at home in. northern; India, and a lot of people in other partg -of,<th^. 7 country seemed unaib|e'' to <fjh d. -.enough enthusiasm to‘,vpte, Mrs Gqndhi- :.has pledged impose/' 'emergency, rule’jif.mer party wins, the mid-term election. • she has also stated, that her . controversial; son, Sam jay, held responsible ' for a bitterly criticised* campaign of forced sterilisations, would not be included in her Government. •