Assembly polls in five states recorded highest voter turnout: Quraishi

New Delhi, May 11 (ANI): Chief Election Commissioner S Y Quraishi on Wednesday said the recently concluded assembly polls in five states of Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal recorded the highest voter turnout, and termed it to be a positive sign.

Quraishi gave special emphasis on Tamil Nadu, as it witnessed the highest turnout of voters in history. He also noted that women turned up in large numbers in comparison to their counterparts during the voting process.

"Assam recorded 76.04 (percent), which is 0.36 higher than the last assembly elections, Kerala 75.12, which is 3.79 higher, Puducherry 85.57, which is marginally higher (by) 0.13, but Tamil Nadu is a great success story," said Quraishi.

"It was 78.80, which is 11.26 percent higher and it is the highest ever in history and so is West Bengal 84.46, which is 3.04 percent higher than the previous election and again highest in history. I am very happy to tell you like Bihar, women turned out in larger number than men in Kerala, Puducherry, West Bengal and slightly in Tamil Nadu, but not in Assam," he added.

Quraishi also commented on the heightened security arrangements that were in place in West Bengal for the elections.

"Security arrangements in areas, particularly Left Wing extremists-affected areas, were under extreme consideration, which is the reason why we had six phase polls in West Bengal. Sometimes, we are criticized for the prolonged elections, but you must realize that a peaceful poll is totally a non-negotiable idea. We have to spare no effort to ensure that the polls goes off peacefully," he said.

"I am happy to say that generally, the moral code violations have been fewer. The qualities of those violations were also a little different. There were no communal appeal, there were no caste appeal, there were no provocation to incite people in communities," he added.

The results of the Assembly polls in five states are expected by noon on Friday, when the counting of votes would start at 839 counting halls spread over Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.

According to reports, the security arrangements have been stepped up for the counting, which would begin at 8 a.m. involving 43,982 officials and nearly 17,700 central security personnel, who will closely monitor the whole event. (ANI)