Potential first-time voters in Punjab lack enthusiasm of sorts to participate in the democratic process of electing the representatives of people.
More than 95 per cent teenagers with voting rights in the State have not exercised their franchise in favour of voting identity cards. According to the Election Commission, a substantial number of them, that is 10.84 lakhs (10,84,861) are still without voting identity cards.
The figures assume significance as their absence from electoral roll indicates lack of enthusiasm among them while most of the political parties in the state are devising their strategies to woo the youngsters.
Out of the estimated 11,36,212 eligible people in the age-group of 18-19 years, only 51,351 have their voter identity cards.
“In Punjab, main gap lies in the age-cohort of 18-19 years where the coverage is only 51,351 against an estimate of 11,36,212 eligible people,” said Punjab Chief Electoral officer VK Singh on Tuesday.
He said, to target this gap between 18-19 years age group, special campaigns have been launched in educational institutions through partner organisations and Government Departments.
The facts came forth after the State Electoral office on Tuesday began the special summary revision of photo electoral roll across the State.
“The draft electoral roll has been published and can be seen at the office of DEO, ERO, BlO and Polling Station. The draft roll is also available at CEO website (http://ceopunjab.nic.in). Any claims and objections in Form 6, 6A, 7, 8 and 8A can be filed with the EROs from September 15 to October 14 by anyone who has attained the age of 18 as on January 1, 2016,” said Singh.
As per the drafts roll, eligible population of 18-plus is estimated at 1.97 crore (1,97,03,891) people against a total projected population of 2.91 crore (2,91,60,641).
The draft electoral roll now contains 1.91 crore (1,91,14,993) voters, covering approximately 97.01 per cent of the eligible population.
During the continuous revision of electoral rolls, 1,86,875 new voters have been registered and 7,63,119 dead, duplicate, not eligible or shifted voters have been deleted from the electoral rolls. “80 percent voters have given their Aadhaar number for linking with the electoral roll database,” said Singh.
CEO said that the Election Commission has organised intensive training of all its functionaries down to the BlO level to ensure smooth and hassle-free enrolment of voters or correction in the roll.
“ECI has imposed ban on transfers of electoral registration related officers and staff to all Departments,” he added.
CEO has also invited representatives of all political parties to inform them regarding the revision programme and to seek their cooperation in taking this message to all citizens who have not been enrolled till now.
Copies of the draft roll have been handed over to representatives of the political parties. They have been requested to appoint booth level agents in all the polling booths to assist the BlO and ERO in making the rolls clean and healthy.
The District Election Offices and Electoral Registration Offices also held a meeting on Tuesday with all representatives of political parties in all districts of Punjab. They have also been given a copy of CD containing the draft electoral rolls.
All BlOs and supervisors are expected to be in the field on their polling stations on September 20 September and October 4. Teachers, who are BlOs, will attend to this work after school hours so that the studies of the students are not adversely affected.
Chief Electoral Officer also reviewed the special summary revision arrangements with Deputy Commissioners through video conference and directed to ensure the meticulous compliance of the ECI’s guidelines to improve the health of the electoral rolls.