After the two-day enrolment camp in Chandigarh, the total number of voters in the city is approximately 6 lakh now.The UT Election department received around 13,000 forms for enrollment of new voters in the two-day enrollment camp organised at all 500 polling stations across the city.UT Joint Chief Electoral Officer Tilak Raj said that 13,000 forms were received during the two day camp.
He said, “The total number of voters in Chandigarh is likely to reach 6 lakh now. All forms received would be scrutinised for weeding out ineligible applicants. The new voters would receive their voter ID cards by March 22. And, the new voters list would be prepared by then.”
During the two days special camp on March 8 and 9, Form 6 was distributed to all the booth level officers along with the copy of the electoral roll of respective polling station. The booth level officers were directed to provide all assistance to the public which visit the polling stations for either enrolment or for verifying their names in the voter list. According to the final publication of summary revision released by the commission, Chandigarh had 5.87 lakh voters. As per the UT officials, the elector to population ratio should be 63 per cent in Chandigarh while it is 53 per cent at present. After the revision of electoral rolls in 2014, the elector to population ratio had increased from 48 per cent to 53 per cent.
Tilak Raj said, “Now, our focus is to start campaigns for encouraging voters to exercise their franchise. The campaigns would start from March 15 onwards. The UT Election department has tied up with sweet shops to propagate this message,” adding, “Also street plays would be held for spreading awareness on ethical voting. Hotels and restaurants would also provide special discounts to the people who cast their vote on April 10 in Chandigarh.
Slogans like “Every Vote Counts”, “Your Vote Your Voice, “Cast YourVote”, “Your Vote Your Right” among others would be pasted on the sweet boxes to sensitise the general public.
Also, about 35 campus ambassadors have been appointed in city colleges to disseminate election related information and exhort youngsters to vote on the election day. The information regarding campus ambassadors have also been uploaded on the official website of Chandigarh Election Department. About 18,170 youngsters in the city are first time voters in the ensuing lok Sabha elections 2014.