Achi news desk-
GUWAHATI: Ahead of the upcoming general elections 2024, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has stepped up efforts to improve voter turnout in parliamentary constituencies (PC) with historically low participation rates. A day-long conference on low voter turnout was held in New Delhi, bringing together municipal commissioners from major cities.
Chaired by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar along with Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, the conference aimed to devise strategies to increase voter engagement and participation in both urban and rural PCs. During the event, the Commission published a pamphlet on voter apathy to address another issue.
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According to data presented at the conference, 11 states/UTs, including Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, Telangana, Gujarat, Punjab, Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir and Jharkhand, recorded lower than average voter turnout. national of 67.40% in the 2019 general elections.
The focus was on addressing specific challenges faced by 266 parliamentary constituencies, comprising 215 rural and 51 urban areas, with low voter turnout. CEC Kumar emphasized a three-pronged strategy, including polling guidance, outreach and targeted communication, and engagement of critical stakeholders such as Resident Welfare Organizations (RWAs) and youth influencers.
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CEC Kumar emphasized the need for tailored strategies for urban and rural areas, stressing that a one-size-fits-all approach will not suffice. City commissioners and DEOs were urged to develop area-specific outreach programs to resonate with the unique needs and demographics of their constituencies.
The conference also discussed innovative voter awareness campaigns within the Systematic Voter Education and Electoral Participation Program (SVEEP), including incorporating election messages into bills, collaborating with RWAs, hosting informative meetings in public spaces and leveraging social media platforms for widespread exposure. Chief Electoral Officers of several states also participated, both in person and virtually.
