The Election Commission has enrolled 9,977 first-time voters in the age group of 18 and 19 years in the district. Over all, the authorities have included approximately 50,000 eligible individuals in the new voters list.
According to the draft electoral list, with 50,000 new voters, the total voters in the district is 23,62,053. Of this, female voters are 11,72,880 and male, 11,89,173. Of the 9,977 first time voters, 5,344 are male and 4,633 are female.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) C Shikha, also the election officer for the district, said, “The data is updated up to January 11. Eligible youths and individuals, who have not enrolled can include their names to the voters list through the authorities concerned.”
C K N Raja, a Constitution expert, during the ‘National Voters Day’ at Town Hall, here urged the youths and other participants to communicate the significance of casting votes and enrolling their names in the list.
The youths, who received their electoral photo identity card (EPIC) during the day, opined that they were given additional responsibility.
Speaking to Deccan Herald, M Chandrakala, a final year BCom student of Sri Lakshmi Hayagreeva College, said that she was proud to get the identity card as a responsible citizen.
“I will never miss the opportunity to cast my vote, as I have taken the oath. I will never vote for the wrong people, who will influence the voters,” she said. But, she was unaware of the None of The Above (NOTA) option, introduced by the Election Commission a few years ago. “I have no knowledge of NOTA. I will learn about it soon,” Chandrakala said.
Like her, many youths felt their responsibility has doubled after getting EPIC. A youth said, “Till now, I was taking care of myself. But, now I have an equal responsibility on the society too.”
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