No anti-incumbency as first time voters' turnout high: Sitharaman

Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that the issue of anti-incumbency was non-existent this time around as a large number of first-time voters exercised their franchise.

New Delhi:Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday said that the issue of anti-incumbency was non-existent this time due to the large number of first time voters.

Answering a question whether higher voter turnout this time translates to anti-incumbency, Sitharaman said, "The number of first time voters is massive this time around and women are also coming out to vote in large numbers. Hence, I believe anti-incumbency is non-existent this time."

She added, "We cannot predict the exact number of first time voters but voter percentage has surely increased this time."

Commenting on the NOTA option, she said that the percentage of NOTA votes would drop drastically as people had realised that the option benefits no one.

READ: 'Voter turnout is positive and encouraging' says Nirmala