<p>Thiruvananthapuram: In view of the feeble response of youngsters towards electioneering, the election commission authorities in Kerala is initiating a study to find the reasons.</p><p>The feeble response of NRIs will be also brought under study, said Kerala chief electoral officer Rathan U Kelkar.</p><p>According to the election officials, the number of voters in the 18-19 age group in Kerala is 2.96 lakh, while the projected population of youths in this age group is around 9.98 lakh. </p>.EC drive to end urban apathy to voting fails to make a difference.<p>"Despite campaigns at college and school levels there seems to be an apathy of youngsters towards the electioneering. Hence a study will be initiated to find the reasons and suggest recommendations to the Election Commission to address the issue," said Kelkar.</p><p>While migrations of students for study purposes could be one reason, additional chief electoral officer Sharmila C said that despite enrolling a high number of youngsters in 2024, there was no corresponding increase in voter turnout. It points fingers at a general apathy of youth towards electioneering.</p><p>Kelkar also said that even as around 90,000 overseas voters have enrolled in the state electoral rolls, the number of NRIs who turn up for voting is only around 2,600 in the last general election. The reasons for this will be also brought under the study which will be entrusted with any government agency.</p><p>As per the revised electoral roll of Kerala, the state has 2,78,10,942 voters, which includes 1,43,69,092 female voters, 1,34,41,490 male voters and 360 third gender voters.</p><p>While the highest number is in the 40-49 age group, 59.24 lakh, the lowest is in the 80 plus category, 7.09 lakh.</p>
<p>Thiruvananthapuram: In view of the feeble response of youngsters towards electioneering, the election commission authorities in Kerala is initiating a study to find the reasons.</p><p>The feeble response of NRIs will be also brought under study, said Kerala chief electoral officer Rathan U Kelkar.</p><p>According to the election officials, the number of voters in the 18-19 age group in Kerala is 2.96 lakh, while the projected population of youths in this age group is around 9.98 lakh. </p>.EC drive to end urban apathy to voting fails to make a difference.<p>"Despite campaigns at college and school levels there seems to be an apathy of youngsters towards the electioneering. Hence a study will be initiated to find the reasons and suggest recommendations to the Election Commission to address the issue," said Kelkar.</p><p>While migrations of students for study purposes could be one reason, additional chief electoral officer Sharmila C said that despite enrolling a high number of youngsters in 2024, there was no corresponding increase in voter turnout. It points fingers at a general apathy of youth towards electioneering.</p><p>Kelkar also said that even as around 90,000 overseas voters have enrolled in the state electoral rolls, the number of NRIs who turn up for voting is only around 2,600 in the last general election. The reasons for this will be also brought under the study which will be entrusted with any government agency.</p><p>As per the revised electoral roll of Kerala, the state has 2,78,10,942 voters, which includes 1,43,69,092 female voters, 1,34,41,490 male voters and 360 third gender voters.</p><p>While the highest number is in the 40-49 age group, 59.24 lakh, the lowest is in the 80 plus category, 7.09 lakh.</p>