More than 2.5 lakh staff will be engaged in poll duties for the November 30 Telangana assembly polls, Chief Electoral officer Vikas Raj has said. He said out of 1,68,612 postal ballots issued, 96,526 have been polled till November 26.
“Almost definitely not less than 2.5 lakh people will be making this (poll) arrangement. When it comes to police, 45,000 Telangana police will be deployed. A total of 23,500 Home Guards were sought from neighbouring states. They are expected in a day or two,” he said.
The EC will also deploy 3,000 personnel from other uniformed services in Telangana, 50 companies of Telangana State Special Police and 375 companies of Central forces will be manning the security arrangement, Raj said.
The official further said as many as 26,660 voters exercised their franchise through the “Home Voting” facility.
Law enforcement agencies have seized cash, gold, liquor, freebies, among others, all worth over Rs 709 crore in poll-bound Telangana, ever since the model code of conduct came into force in the state on October 9, the official said.
FEMALE VOTERS SURPASS MALES
As Telangana gears up for the upcoming assembly elections scheduled for November 30, 2023, the electoral landscape is witnessing a notable shift with a groundbreaking development – female voters have surpassed their male counterparts for the first time. The electoral roll, after the completion of the extensive electoral roll process, stands at a significant 3,26,18,205, comprising 1,62,98,418 males, 1,63,01,705 females, and 2,676 individuals belonging to the third gender, as reported by Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Vikas Raj.
What makes this electoral scenario even more noteworthy is the remarkable increase of 8.75% in the number of electors since January 2023. This surge is attributed to a significant achievement in the enrolment of young voters in the 18–19 age group. The electoral rolls now boast 9,99,667 new voters in this cohort, constituting a noteworthy 3.06% of the overall electoral roll. The improvement in the gender ratio from 992 to 1000.2 is seen as a fitting tribute to the spirit of inclusiveness behind the electoral process.
YOUTH ENGAGEMENT SHAPES ELECTORAL LANDSCAPE
Chief Electoral Officer Vikas Raj expressed satisfaction with this achievement, highlighting the commitment to ensuring the active participation of citizens in the democratic process. The net increase in electors, particularly the surge in the 18–19 age group, reflects a positive trend towards greater political engagement among the youth.
This surge in youth participation is considered a significant factor in shaping the electoral landscape. Young voters often bring fresh perspectives and priorities to the political arena, influencing the discourse on key issues. The improvement in the gender ratio further underscores the importance of creating an inclusive and diverse political environment.
In terms of age demographics, the gender ratio in the 18 to 19 age group has seen a notable improvement, rising from 707 to 753. Additionally, there are 4,40,371 voters above the age of 80 and 5,06,921 Persons with Disabilities (PwD) voters. The number of third-gender persons has also increased to 2,676.
CEO Vikas Raj emphasised the importance of citizens verifying the details of their polling stations through the official channels, ensuring a smooth voting process. The distribution of Voter Information Slips (VIS) is set to commence shortly, facilitating voters with essential information about their polling stations.
The finalisation of the electoral rolls for the assembly elections involved a meticulous process of addressing applications for new voter enrolment, shifting of electors, deletion, and correction of details. A total of 35.73 lakh additions, 9.48 lakh deletions, and 16.29 lakh shifting and modifications were carried out in the electoral roll in the year 2023.