The Election Commission of India (ECI) organized a conference aimed at tackling the issue of low voter turnout ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. The conference, held in the national capital, brought together municipal commissioners and district election officers from select districts, especially those with a history of low voter participation.
Chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, along with election commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, the conference focused on strategizing to increase voter engagement and participation. The need for targeted interventions in identified urban and rural parliamentary constituencies was emphasized.
A “turnout implementation plan” was devised for 266 urban and rural parliamentary constituencies, aiming to encourage voters to exercise their franchise. CEC Kumar highlighted the importance of creating a movement where people are self-motivated to participate in the electoral process.
The strategy outlined by CEC Kumar involved three main components: providing facilitation at polling stations, targeted outreach and communication, and engaging critical stakeholders such as Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) and influencers. A booklet addressing voter apathy, particularly in urban areas, was released during the conference.
Discussions during the conference addressed various aspects, including voter apathy, streamlining logistical operations, and leveraging the Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) programme to increase voter awareness.
With the seven-phased Lok Sabha polls scheduled to begin on April 19 and counting on June 4, the conference served as a crucial platform to address concerns and strategize ways to enhance voter participation across the country.
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