2 days Ago By Nisha Nambiar
State chief electoral officer S Chockalingam , in conversation with TOI's Nisha Nambiar, expects voter turnout to cross 70% this time as the officials have taken up awareness programmes, picked Wednesday for voting, and launched easier polling booth location systems, among other measures. Q: Will the voting percentage surpass the previous assembly elections? A: The number of electors has increased, so the number of participating voters will be higher. But, the final turnout percentage will depend on whether all registered electors vote.
The voting day is mid-week rather than close to the weekend to prevent voters from treating it as an extended holiday. Polling stations are closer to residential areas, there are assured minimum facilities for a hassle-free voting experience and a rise in home-voting accessibility. The postal ballot for polling and security staff may add another five lakh votes.
Celebrity events and digital display boards will encourage voters in seats with historically low turnout. Q: Do you expect to bridge the urban-rural voter divide? A: We are optimistic about increasing voter turnout in urban and rural areas. In the previous assembly polls, we registered a 61.
1% turnout, and we are hoping to reach 70% this time. We anticipate improved participation not only from the 15 urban assembly segments with low turnout but also from rural areas. A 9% increase is possible given the awareness campaigns taken up by election department officials, political parties, media organisations, housing federation members, and social groups.
Q: ECI has insisted on 100% voter slip distribution A: We have achieved nearly 100% voter slip distribution in almost all rural districts, with exceptions where residents were unavailable at home. In urban areas, this percentage is a little lower. Since these slips must be personally handed over to individuals with acknowledgement either through signature, cellphone number, or photograph, over one lakh booth-level officers worked diligently on this task.
They collaborated with civic officials to ensure maximum coverage in slip distribution. For those who haven't received their slips, polling station details can be easily accessed online. Voters can download and print their details from the ECI portal.
Additionally, DEOs have established helpline numbers and WhatsApp services in ward offices to assist voters in finding their names and polling information. Q: Will there be fewer missing names complaints? A: Missing names is a complex issue. It arises when registered voters are unable to locate their usual polling booths.
This year, we have taken extensive measures. ‘Know Your Polling Station' activity is taken up by some district election officers apart from the distribution of voter information slips. Voters have been repeatedly encouraged to verify their names and polling booth locations through the ECI portal and voter helpline app.
With two draft publications and summary revisions, citizens had ample time to check their details and report any discrepancies. After the Lok Sabha election, we encouraged voters who faced difficulties to re-register, resulting in the addition of over 16 lakh new names to the electoral roll. We have an impressive increase of 72 lakh voter registrations.
These steps should minimise missing names' complaints. Q: There are over 1,000 booths in housing societies but residents have raised safety issues A: We have established over 1,000 polling booths within housing societies through collaboration with office-bearers. There are practical limitations, where the number of residents does not match the number of voters needed to create additional booths.
As per ECI guidelines, each polling booth can accommodate only 1,300-1,500 voters, necessitating the assignment of additional residents to nearby booths. This cap cannot be exceeded to prevent overcrowding, making it impossible to assign all society members the same booth. Residents will get comprehensive protection during polling.
We have deployed central para-military police force personnel and other security measures. Housing societies hosting polling booths will receive adequate security coverage. Q: Should there be a separate department for election duties? A: Under the Representation of the People Act, all departments must assist the electoral process during elections.
There is a department handling elections at the state level and separate sections at district and field levels. However, they run with minimum manpower. No single department has the required manpower for such large-scale operations which is why the govt ensures that the Election Commission of India receives support.
This collaborative effort allows us to deploy poll machinery of over 5.5 lakh personnel as in the current election. Q: What about voting for the migrant population? A: Migrant voters from the state are typically registered in their home district, not at their workplace, so they are not excluded from voting.
For long-term migration, voters have to apply. The current registration form contains columns to provide details of earlier registration which can be deleted. Q: Have efforts been made to minimise shadow polling booths? A: Shadow polling booths have been reduced from 960 to 915.
We have also implemented additional measures like wireless communication, message relays, and runners to ensure the timely delivery of reports..
