Steps under way to ensure high voter turnout in Solan

Tribune News Service

Solan, March 20

With the Lok Sabha poll witnessing a lower voting percentage than the Vidhan Sabha (VS) elections, the officials are adopting various innovative means to enhance this rate.

An analysis of the voting pattern of the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections of the last about two decades reveals that people have exercised their right to franchise more enthusiastically in the Assembly polls while making lesser efforts to vote in the parliamentary elections.

In the last Lok Sabha polls held in 2014 the state witnessed 64.45 per cent polling while the last Assembly elections held in 2017 saw 75.57 per cent polling which was a quantum increase. Similarly, the polling percentage in the Lok Sabha polls of 2009 was merely 58.43 per cent while in 2004 it was 59.34 per cent. In contrast the state had witnessed 73.5 per cent votes in the state polls of 2012 and 71.61 per cent in the 2007 Assembly poll.

Notably, while some polling stations have been witnessing high polling even during the Lok Sabha elections which was as high as 93 to 100 per cent, there were cases where this score had been reduced to as low as 0.1 per cent in two polling stations of Vashisth and Manali in 2009 Lok Sabha polls. Since a Lok Sabha MP covers a larger area, he often fails to establish a rapport all across his constituency which may even extend up to 17 seats. This was a major reason for the low turnover, informs Ramesh Kumar, a panchayat representative in Solan district. He added that an MLA, on the other hand, interacts with a larger number of his electorate which encourages them to vote.

While all district-level returning officials are endeavouring to enhance polling percentage, efforts are being made to enhance the participation of more youth and women.

Deputy Commissioner, Solan, Vinod Kumar said in order to enhance voter participation in the parliamentary polls low turnout polling stations have been identified and efforts are afoot to enhance their participation by at least 10 to 15 per cent. He said there were several challenges like apathy of the urban voters towards voting and ensuring the participation of the people from the industrial areas.

He said a database of around 90-95 per cent voters with their mobile numbers has been created to whom messages will be send during the elections as was done in the last Vidhan Sabha elections. Voter helpline app and a toll free number are being widely publicised to facilitate the voters. Apart from this, a one-minute video teasers will be prepared and circulated on the social network. One-liners on election with posters will also be prepared on a daily basis and posted on social networking sites.

Reaching out to every voter through “I will vote” pledge and support of booth level officials is being sought to encourage people to vote. Electoral literacy clubs have also been constituted to acquaint them with the electoral process.

Measures being taken

• A database of around 90-95 per cent voters with their mobile numbers has been created.
• Voter helpline app and a toll-free number are being widely publicised to facilitate the voters. 
• A one-minute video teasers will be prepared and circulated on the social network.