Unusual Voting Patterns Observed in Andhra Pradesh Assembly Elections
The recent Andhra Pradesh Assembly elections revealed striking voting patterns, with over 1.7 million votes cast after midnight and ballots submitted every six seconds. Chandrababu Naidu's TDP achieved a decisive victory, but concerns were raised about the rapid voting process. Economist Parkala Prabhakar questioned the feasibility of such quick voting, leading to scrutiny from the opposition and experts. The final voter turnout reached an impressive 81.79%, but the unusual statistics have sparked debates about the integrity of the electoral process. Read on to explore the details of this intriguing electoral event.
| Apr 2, 2026, 02:05 IST
Strange Voting Trends Unveiled
After midnight, approximately 1.7 million votes were cast, with ballots being submitted every six seconds. These unusual voting patterns were highlighted during a press conference in Delhi regarding the 2024 Andhra Pradesh Assembly elections. The Telugu Desam Party (TDP), led by Chandrababu Naidu, achieved a significant victory, securing 164 out of 175 seats. Economist Parkala Prabhakar reported that voting continued at 3,500 booths until 2 AM. He expressed concern over the statistics, noting that around 4.16% of total votes were cast between 11:45 PM and 2 AM. He stated that nearly 5.2 million votes were recorded from 8 PM to 2 AM, with over 1.7 million votes cast after midnight alone. The most surprising aspect was that a vote was cast every 20 seconds after midnight.
Concerns Raised Over Voting Process
Prabhakar questioned how voting could occur in just six seconds if Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) require 14 seconds to reset. He pondered whether a voter could realistically enter a polling station, cast their vote, and exit in such a short time. He concluded by stating that something unusual happened after 8 PM. In these elections, Naidu returned as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh for the fourth time, with the TDP winning 135 seats, while the BJP secured eight and Pawan Kalyan's Jana Sena won 21 seats. Prior to this, the opposition and various experts had already expressed concerns regarding the voting data.
Voting Statistics Released
After the polls closed at 5 PM on May 13, 2024, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Andhra Pradesh informed the media that the voter turnout was 68.04%. The Election Commission later announced a turnout of 68.12% at 8 PM. By 11:45 PM, this figure was revised to 76.50%, and the final voter turnout released four days later stood at 81.79%.