Ronita Torcato
The number of first time voters in the age group of 18 to 19 is 19.48 lakh in the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly General Election. There is also a 10.17 lakh increase in women voter registration. The number of newly registered women in the age group of 18 to 19 is 7.74 lakh
“Youth will be empowered as electoral ambassadors. We will engage youth in colleges and universities across the state,”Chief Election Commissioner Rajeev Kumar, told a crowded press conference in Mumbai last evening.
According to the All India Survey for Higher Education (AISHE) 2021-22, the number of colleges in Maharashtra was 4,692,making it the second state with the highest number of colleges in India, after Uttar Pradesh. Maharashtra also has one central university, twenty three state universities and twenty-one deemed universities.
Mr Kumar is leading a delegation from the Election Commission of India on a tour of Maharashtra to review the preparations for the upcoming General Elections. The EC delegation which includes Election Commissioner Ganesh Kumar and Election Commissioner Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, reviewed the preparations for the upcoming elections by various implementing agencies at the Trident Hotel today.
Assisting in the EC were the state government Chief Secretary , as well as the heads of all relevant departments. The commission also held discussions with representatives of the 11 political parties and took their suggestions.
Apart from youth, women and disabled voters will also be empowered Mr Kumar said by being entrusted with the responsibility of handling booths.
There will be 57, 601 polling stations in rural areas. 299 polling booths will be disabled operated while 350 will be youth operated. The number of women manned polling stations will be 388. “We will do our best to ensure free, fair and inducement free polls”, Mr Kumar said.
Measures include webcasting at all polling stations in urban areas, 1,118 polling stations in high rise buildings, VHA to check names in lists and C-Vigil app for malpractice complaints.
Apropos hate speeches,Mr Kumar said the EC would take a decision at the appropriate time against offenders on receipt of complaints. Providing statistics he said 42,558 urban booths and 57,000 rural booths will be monitored by CCTV 24x 7
“Social media will also to be monitored apart from100 per cent webcasting of the elections in all urban booths,” he said, adding that provisions will be made for ramps, drinking water, signages, benches for long queues, help desks and a voters helpline. Senior citizens will be given priority in voting with wheelchair facilities and assistance from volunteers.
The state will maintain vigil on interstate borders. Polling teams on copters will proceed to sensitive stations in Gadchiroli which saw 73 per cent voting in the last elections.
Katkari , Kollam, Maria and Gond tribal voters have recorded 100 percent registration. Illustrating urban apathy Mr Kumar said the lowest percentages were recorded in Colaba 40 %,Kalyan 42 %. But turnout in J & K evidences high voter engagement: Doda 72 %, Poonch 74%
Candidates with criminal records must publish the requisite information quickly in designated channels and newspapers.
Referring to a recent order enabling financial donations and prominence of symbols, Mr Kumar said election expenditure and dubious online transactions would be monitored and that due directions have been given to enforcement agencies to be on the look out for liquor,drugs,cash on national highways, airstrips and helipads. Cash will be moved in designated vehicles, but there would be no movement after sunset.
As regards the deletion of voters names, he said there is the annual revision of electoral rolls. To ensure maximum participation, awareness campaigns will be held in public places and engagement with trade unions, Mr Kumar said.
The Election Commision consists of 700 staff who are either on deputation or contract.
