Mumbai: As many as 19.31 lakh applications have been registered so far as part of the ongoing summary revision of electoral rolls in Maharashtra and voters would have the opportunity to enroll themselves until the last date of filing of nomination papers, the Election Commission of India said here today.
The Election Commission led by Chief Election Commissioner V S Sampath concluded its two-day visit to review poll preparedness in Maharashtra. The EC held interactions with election officials, state administration and political parties.
Addressing a press conference here, Sampath said that the Maharashtra state electoral office has been asked to communicate constantly with voters even after summary revision ends on July 31.
“Those left out in the summary revision can register until the last date of filing of nomination papers for which they would have to apply ten days before filing of nomination papers. Voters should also continuously keep checking the voter list,” he said.
Sampath said that the Election Commission has asked the Maharashtra state electoral office to give adequate publicity to summary revision of the electoral list.
He said that all 26 lakh voters whose names were found deleted during the Lok Sabha polls are being sent individual communication through Speed Post about registration once again.
“Form 6 is being sent to them if they wish to register again. The forms will be dispatched to all by the end of this month,” he said.
Sampath said that voter apathy in urban areas continues to persist.
“We are not satisfied with the 54 per cent turnout in Mumbai during the Lok Sabha elections though it was the highest ever voter turnout,” he said.
Sampath said enrollment of voters in the age group of 18 years to 19 years in Maharashtra is less than 20 per cent.
“We need to reach out to the youth through educational institutions and hence the campus ambassador programme would be further expanded,” he said.
