New Delhi, May 16 -- Assam, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Kerala went to polls for their assemblies in April this year and the data released by the Election Commission of India (ECI) reveals an encouraging democratic trend. ECI officials said that it is not only the voting percentages but the actual number of voters has gone up in Special Intensive Revision (SIR).

The ECI's historic trend data, released under its 'Chunav Ka Parv, Matdata Ka Garv' campaign, shows a consistent upward trajectory in both poll participation percentages and the absolute number of electors exercising their franchise -- underlining a deepening democratic culture across India.

West Bengal scripted electoral history by recording a voter turnout of 93.71...