Each vote matters. Taking these words to heart, the the Election Commission of India has set out to ensure each and every eligible voter in the country gets to exercise their franchise in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections 2024.
India’s electorate is made up of nearly 97 crore registered voters – largest in the world. The list has 49.7 crore males, 47.1 crore females, 82 lakh voters above the age of 85, 2.18 lakh above the age of 100, 48,000 transgender persons, 19.1 lakh service electors, 1.8 crore first time voters and 19.74 crore young voters.
While the first challenge is to ensure everyone eligible gets on the voter list, the second big task is to ensure equal participation from these voters in the elections. And the Election Commission is ready.
Million-Plus Polling Stations
The poll body will set up about 10.5 lakh polling stations in the Lok Sabha elections. In 2019, it had set up 10.36 lakh polling stations, up from 9.28 lakh polling stations in 2014.
Speaking to News18, an official said that the increase in the number of polling stations will ensure all voters have a polling station nearby.
“The guidelines state that no voter should be more than 2km from a polling station. Also, that the number of electors in a polling station should not exceed 1,500. So, we are aiming for a smooth election for everyone by doing our bit,” the official said, requesting anonymity.
As many as 1.5 crore polling officials and security staff will be engaged to conduct the 2024 elections. Around 55 lakh EVMs will be pressed into service.
‘VOTE FROM HOME’ DEBUT in LOK SABHA POLLS
The ‘vote from home’ option was extended to voters who needed the facility in recent Assembly elections in several states but this is the first time it has been introduced in Lok Sabha elections. Elderly persons and those with disabilities can vote from home after following due procedure.
As per the EC, 82 lakh voters across India are above the age of 85. This includes 2.18 lakh centenarians. The voter list includes 88.4 lakh persons with disabilities.
The poll body will be providing vote from home facility for those who are above 85 years of age and persons with 40% benchmark disability. At the same time, it is ensuring that such voters who wish to vote at polling stations have a hassle-free experience.
Polling stations will have volunteers and wheelchairs while transportation facilities will be provided for the elderly and differently abled voters if needed.
“We walk the extra mile, so you don’t have to,” the official said. “Our people travel in the most difficult regions to ensure that even if there is one vote, we get it. We want people to come out of the home to vote. We don’t want distance or difficulties to stop the voters from stepping out.”
Citing an example, the official added that the polling team treks difficult terrain with a steep gradient of 3km for about 3.5 hours to reach Khurched polling station in Lahaul and Spiti in Himachal Pradesh for 56 voters. The station is situated at a height of 10,603 feet.
Getting the Youth to Vote
The county has nearly 20 crore young voters in the age bracket of 20-29 and 1.8 crore first time voters aged 18-19.
The EC has been making efforts to bring out the youth in large numbers to the polling stations. The poll body has been running special social media campaigns and has roped in celebrities to endorse voting. Selfie booths will also be set up at the polling station.
Voters in Violence-Affected Areas
Voters in Manipur, which has witnessed months of ethnic violence, and those living in camps will be given the facility to vote from wherever they are. Similar arrangements have been made in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Election Commission announced the schedule to elect the 18th Lok Sabha on Saturday. The elections will be held in seven phases between April 19 and June 1. The counting of votes will take place on June 4, 2024.
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