As the Lok Sabha Elections kick off today, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar has encouraged maximum participation, noting that approximately 16.86 crore voters are eligible to cast their votes in the first phase across 102 constituencies. He revealed that nearly 1.86 lakh polling stations have been established for this purpose. Kumar emphasized in an interview with ANI that preparations for the elections commenced two years ago.
“From preparing the border list to preparing polling stations, finding their routes, deployment of forces, finding out vulnerable booths, creating amenities at the booths–light, shade, ramps, minimum facilities…it’s a tremendous exercise that started over two years ago.”
He also mentioned the Election Commission’s utilization of technological advancements to enhance inclusivity and encourage broader participation in the electoral process. “So everything is set. It is now time for voters to come and vote in large numbers at every polling station.”
Kumar emphasized the importance of voter engagement, particularly urging women and youth to actively participate in the elections.
“We made an amendment in the Act where qualifying dates were made four instead of one – on January 1 of every year. There are a large number of young voters. There are voters who are transgenders. It’s a truly inclusive voter list that has been prepared. The campaigning for the first phase is over. The silent period is over. Now this is the day of polling, the first one. It’s for the voters to come, enjoy it at the polling station,” he said.
The CEC expressed great enthusiasm at the sight of young voters registering for participation in the elections.
“We also did a lot of activities in the colleges and very youth-specific activities. We see a lot of enthusiasm. We have also done a lot of awareness-raising activities. So, if you keep using your finger on social media or on the phone the whole day, this is the time to spend five minutes and enjoy the power of voting at the polling station. Press the button on the electronic voting machine there. I’m sure this time our young voters are going to come ….we have appealed to them to become our ambassadors, to become our influencers,” he said.
“Bring as many friends as possible including family members to the polling station. Enjoy the festival. Feel the responsibility of selecting and electing your own government,” he added.
Addressing methods to facilitate the maximum participation of specially-abled and elderly individuals in the Lok Sabha election, the CEC mentioned the provision for them to cast their vote from the convenience of their homes.
“We have earmarked in our electoral rolls persons with disabilities, 40 per cent and above. There is a facility for them to cast a vote from the comfort of their home, if they so desire. But our experience is that many of them want to come to the polling station. And we provide them a volunteer, we provide them with wheelchairs, and it’s not a question of physical comfort that we provide, it’s a question of giving them the due respect and empowerment,” he said.
In a landmark move for the Lok Sabha Election, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has introduced the option of home voting for the elderly and Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) for the first time. Eligible voters, including those above 85 years of age and PwDs with a 40 percent benchmark disability, can now avail themselves of this facility. Across the nation, there are over 81 lakh registered voters aged 85 and above, and more than 90 lakh registered PwD voters.
“We have issued great guidelines to political parties to be very sensitive while talking about people with disabilities…they are more capable than most of us. It’s a question of just giving them those opportunities,” Kumar added.
He also discussed the efforts to streamline the voting process in Manipur, which has been marred by ethnic violence.
“We have made a special scheme for voting in the camps. There are more than 18,000 people who have already registered with us to vote from the camps. Our teams will take their vote wherever they are. Our attempt was and is that nobody is disfranchised, everybody is given a chance to vote. Postal ballet, through camp…wherever. So we have done something, and I’ am sure people will vote and establish the point that it’s the ballot that gives the answers,” he said.
Explaining strategies to address muscle power, monetary influence, misinformation, and violations of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), the CEC highlighted the implementation of numerous security and non-security measures aimed at ensuring safety and curbing violence.
“We are informing of all the steps we have taken to tackle the MCC violations and the money seizures done to the media and to everybody at large. So, everything is being reported and today is the day of voting.”
The CEC mentioned the deployment of Strategic Surveillance Teams (SSTs) and Flying Squad Teams (FSTs) in addition to police personnel as part of the measures.
“A large number of security and non-security measures are in place. The only point is that people must come and vote. Whoever is listening, please come and vote. It’s phase one, and there are six phases to come. Find out your polling station through our applications.We have distributed VIS (voter information slips),” he said.
“More than 16 crore voter slips have been distributed in phase one. It’s a kind of invitation that is reaching your house, saying this is your polling station. This is your voter list. Please come and vote. youth, male, female, old age, transgender, everybody we are looking for. Our staff is a very well trained. Teams are there at all the polling stations to welcome you very, very courteously. Please come,” the CEC noted.
In the first phase, polling will take place across constituencies in 21 states and union territories. These include Arunachal Pradesh (two seats), Assam (five), Bihar (four), Chhattisgarh (one), Madhya Pradesh (six), Maharashtra (five), Manipur (two), Meghalaya (two), Mizoram (one), Nagaland (one), Rajasthan (12), Sikkim (one), Tamil Nadu (39), Tripura (one), Uttar Pradesh (eight), Uttarakhand (five), West Bengal (three), Andaman and Nicobar Islands (one), Jammu and Kashmir (one), Lakshadweep (one), and Puducherry (one).
The 2024 general elections in India are scheduled to take place in seven phases, spanning from April 19 to June 1, to elect the 543 members of the 18th Lok Sabha. The results of the elections are set to be announced on June 4.
