In an election between two candidates, y% of the voters did not vote. 10% of the votes cast were declared invalid, while all the valid votes were cast in favour of either of the two candidates. The candidate who got 59.375% of the valid votes cast was declared elected by 2484 votes. If the number of people eligible to vote in that election was 16,000, what is the value of y?

Options
a) 8
b) 7.2
c) 8.4
d) 7.5

Solution

As per question
Winner’s of vote % = 59.375
Loser’s of vote % = 100 – 59.375 = 40.625
% difference of valid votes = 59.375 – 40 = 18.75%
Elected by 2484 votes
18.75% of valid votes = 2484
valid votes = = 13248
10% of the votes cast were valid
Valid votes = Votes cast x 90/100
13248 = Votes polled x 0.9
Votes polled = 13248/0.9 = 14720
Non-voters (y) = Total votes cast
Those who did not vote (y) = 16000 – 14720 = 1280
Non voters (y)% = = 8%

Answer: 8