Haryana Chief Electoral Officer Anurag Aggarwal on Tuesday announced a new initiative to incentivize youth and women to participate in the electoral process. Under this, individuals who registered as new voters between October 1 and December 9 will have the chance to win laptops, smartphones, and pen drives in a draw conducted from the voter list published on January 5, 2024. In addition, voters registering during this period will also receive T-shirts as a token of appreciation.

Addressing a press conference here  in which Additional Chief Electoral Officer Hema Sharma, Joint Chief Electoral Officer Apoorva, and other officials were also present, Aggarwal said that persons who registered as new voters between October 1 and December 9 have a chance to win three laptops, two smartphones, and 100 pen drives as part of the rewards program. He urged eligible youth and women in the state to take benefit of this opportunity to become voters.

The CEO highlighted that individuals born between January 2, 2004, and January 1, 2006, who have not yet registered as voters can make their votes by filling out Form 6 on the voter helpline website. In addition to becoming eligible voters, they can also participate in the exciting rewards program. The Election Commission is committed to providing those who turn 18 years of age in January, April, July, and October with the opportunity to register as voters. Furthermore, deceased individuals' names will be removed from the voter list to maintain its accuracy, he added.

Aggarwal clarified that individuals aged 18 and above are eligible to vote and must submit photocopies of their permanent residence address, date of birth, and passport-sized photographs along with Form 6 to register. Votes can be made both online through the voter service portal and offline through Booth Level Officers (BLO). If they face any kind of problem while making their votes then they can register their complaint on Voter Helpline number 1950 as well as Voter Helpline App.

The Election Commission will carry out special campaigns to encourage new voter registrations on November 4-5 and December 2-3 at polling stations. During these campaigns, BLOs will assist individuals in filling out Form 6 for voter registration. After this, the final voter list will be published on January 5, 2024. The Commission's primary goal is to create a transparent voter list, as it forms the foundation of the electoral process.

The CEO also addressed the misconception among those working in corporate offices in Gurugram and Faridabad that registering to vote involves visiting government offices. Commission has streamlined the process, making it accessible both online and offline Eligible persons have been given one more chance before the elections. Considering January 1, 2024, as the qualifying date, the work of making new votes will be done by BLOs at all the polling stations from October 27 to December 9, 2023. Under this program no eligible person should be deprived of voting. 

In response to a question, he said that the Election Commission has appointed Assistant Electoral Registration Officers to encourage voter registration in schools and colleges. Maharshi Dayanand University students are also contributing to the voter list survey, while BLOs will facilitate voter registration and the removal of names from the voter list. To ensure a smooth process, a special campaign for young voters will be conducted across the country on October 25. If complaints are received about any BLO not being available at the booth during the special campaign, then strict action will be taken against them.