New Delhi
The Election Commission of India (ECI) organized a ‘Conference on Low Voter Turnout’ with Municipal Commissioners and District Education Officers (DEO) from selected districts to address the issue of low voter participation in the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections.
In a bid to enhance voter turnout in parliamentary constituencies with historically low participation rates, the ECI convened the conference at Nirvachan Sadan, New Delhi. Chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, the conference aimed to devise strategies for increasing voter engagement and participation in urban and rural areas.
CEC Rajiv Kumar emphasized the identification of 266 parliamentary constituencies with low voter turnout and called for targeted efforts to reach out to voters. He stressed the importance of facilitating voting processes, targeted outreach, and involving stakeholders like Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) and youth influencers to motivate voters.
The conference focused on tailored interventions for urban and rural areas, acknowledging the unique challenges each setting presents. It emphasized collaborative efforts between the ECI and stakeholders to streamline logistical operations and increase voter awareness.
To address these challenges, the ECI has devised a Turnout Implementation Plan (TIP) and implemented various initiatives, including district-specific themes for polling stations and electoral literacy programs in schools. Additionally, it aims to engage National Icons to inspire young voters and expand voter outreach efforts.
