Ease of Voting, Awareness Campaign: How EC is Leaving No Stone Unturned to Improve Voter Turnout in J&K Polls

The Election Commission of India (ECI) faces a mammoth task in Jammu and Kashmir where it not only has to ensure peaceful assembly polls but also make sure that voters take part in the process in large numbers for an improved turnout.

In the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections, the newly formed Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir saw significantly higher voter turnout, at about 59 per cent, when compared to the past few elections. For the assembly polls, the ECI is taking this as a base and aims for a higher voter turnout.

To ensure that the maximum number of voters are covered, the ECI is allowing new voters to register even after publishing the final roll. If any voters fail to register, they can do it before the nomination process starts, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar had said earlier this month while announcing the poll dates.

The Union Territory has witnessed home voting facility in the recently concluded Lok Sabha polls for those who are over 85 years and Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) with 40 per cent benchmark disability. It is for the first time that the option will be given in assembly elections too. If any elderly or PwD voters need transport facility or assistance for polling stations, the poll body will ensure that for them.

For easing the process for voters, Voter Helpline App will be available to download and apply forms online, check names in voter lists and to view the details of polling booths. Further, voters can connect with the Booth Level Officer or the Electoral Registration Officer with the help of the app.

The ECI has also ensured that polling stations should be set up within two kilometres of voters’ residence.

The commission will deploy IAS officers as General Observers in the UT in adequate numbers to ensure smooth conduct of election. These observers — General, Police and Expenditure — will be asked to keep a close watch on every stage of the electoral process to ensure free and fair elections. The poll body last week conducted a session with these observers who will be deployed in J&K and Haryana. They have been directed to remain accessible to parties, candidates and voters for timely grievance redressal.

“These Central Observers not only help the commission in fulfilling its constitutional mandate of conducting free, fair, transparent and inclusive elections but also enhance voter awareness and participation in elections,” the ECI said in a statement.

Further, the Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs)/ District Election Officer (DEOs) have been directed to identify low voter turnout seats and take focused initiatives to address specific issues.

To fight urban apathy, the polling is scheduled on weekdays and not around weekends. The voting in Jammu and Kashmir will be done on September 18, September 25 (both Wednesdays) and October 1 (Tuesday).

Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation

Under SVEEP, the poll body is already running a number of campaigns in the region, ranging from door-to-door campaigns to various activities involving the common man.

Basic minimum facilities at all booths

The poll body has said it will ensure all the basic facilities at polling stations, starting from water, toilets, signage, ramps to wheelchair and shed for voters.

There will be separate queues for men and women apart from separate arrangements for the elderly and disabled.

There will be 11,838 polling stations in the UT with average 735 voters per station. At least 90 stations each will be managed by women and PwDs while 360 will be model PS.

There are more than 87 lakh voters, including 20 lakh young and almost four lakh first-timers. The counting of votes will be held on October 4.