New Delhi: Delhi was among the four states that received the best electoral practices award by the Election Commission for introducing innovative measures during the Assembly polls, which witnessed a record turnout of 65.13 per cent.
Delhi Chief Electoral Officer Vijay Dev received the award on behalf of the state, which has been credited with meeting the gender gap in turnout, youth participation and urban participation, besides making available the facility of SMS query.
After receiving the award he said,"This award is the result of hard work put in by the entire electoral machinery, right up to the booth level officers. I would like to congratulate the staff of 85,000 officers and more than 50,000 police staff who helped us conduct the elections in a fair and transparent manner."
This is the first time that the state has bagged the award, he said on the occasion of National Voter's Day.
Besides Delhi, other states which also received the award of excellence include Karnataka, Rajasthan and Tripura.
Dev assured that he will take steps for smooth conduct of upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
"Significant steps like electoral arrangement and EVM security will be taken up for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections with youth, women and marginalised sections being the focus.
"The number of model polling stations will be increased to offer a pleasant voting experience and ensure a better voter turnout," he said.
In the assembly elections last year, the Delhi CEO had created 100 per cent photo electoral rolls with a four-time increase in the number of youths enrolled.
Steps like setting up special camps in collaboration with Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), NGOs and civil society organisations were taken to enroll more women voters leading to a significant increase in the sex ratio from 788 per 1000 to 805.
The Delhi CEO also distributed voter ID cards to many first time voters at a function to mark the Voter's day here.
National Voter's Day which was first celebrated on January 25, 2011 with an aim to encourage youths to be a part of the electoral politics.
"National Voter's Day is celebrated to address the issues of urban and youth apathy. It was observed that many citizens did not bother to get enrolled or cast their vote. Thus, it was a step to create awareness about the right to vote," S Y Quraishi, former Chief Election Commissioner of India, told reporters here.
Lakhs of first-time voters were issued voter ID cards at more than eight lakh booths across the country.
