EC woos young voters

The office of the Delhi Chief Electoral Officer has finally found the missing link in its bid to lengthen the queues at polling booths this D-day: the city8217;s youth populace.

The office of the Delhi Chief Electoral Officer has finally found the missing link in its bid to lengthen the queues at polling booths this D-day: the city8217;s youth populace. The result: a campaign aimed at getting the youth to come out and cast their votes on November 29.

8220;We have identified 12 segments among registered voters who have traditionally had a low turnout on polling days,8221; Delhi8217;s Chief Electoral Officer Satbir Silhas Bedi said. 8220;Over the next few days, we will appeal to each segment to come out and vote. First, though, are the young voters in the age group of 18 to 29 years.8221;

Aimed at ensuring that voting becomes 8220;Delhi8217;s latest fashion statement,8221; the election office will target the audience through television, radio, and the print media. 8220;We have recorded 12 parodies of the popular song 8216;Pappu Can8217;t Dance and will release them one after the other, with a day8217;s gap, till the election day,8221; Bedi said.

With good reason, too. As per records available, there are 39 lakh registered voters in the 18 to 29 years age bracket. With the total number of voters at 1.07 crore, young voters make up almost 36 per cent of the electorate. 8220;Voting records in this age group have been dismal over the last few elections,8221; Bedi said, 8220;and the polling day has become just another holiday for these youths.

8220;Many among this section apply for voter ID cards just to get a telephone connection or a passport. The advertisement campaign aims to change that mindset.8221;

The voter turnout in the 2003 Assembly elections was 43 per cent.

Bedi admitted that a big reason for that low turnout was the chaotic condition of the electoral list. 8220;But we have addressed that issue by revising the electoral rolls this time,8221; she said. 8220;We will set up voter assistant booths for the first time at many polling stations. The purpose is to ensure that people can vote without problem.8221;

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Even in cases, where there are minor mistakes in Voter ID cards such as a misspelt name, Bedi said voters will be allowed to cast their votes.

But, Bedi stressed, another big reason for low turnouts over the years is the 8220;urban mindset, particularly the young, about polling. That needs to change. With this campaign, we hope to introduce an element of shame among those who don8217;t vote.8221;