The Election Commission in an effort to assimilate eligible young electors, with special focus on the 18-21 age group is launching a month-long special drive from July 1 next to enroll them.

Voters participation in recent times has nosedived and more so among the young educated urban citizens. Government of India observes January 25 every year as 'National Voters' Day' since 2011, however given the circumstance more effort definitely needs to be made.

After showing a steady increase for decades voter turnout of late is on a declining trend in almost all democracies around the world. Non-voters traditionally consisted primarily of the poor and poorly educated, who had long since bowed out of the political discourse because they blamed "those up there" for their lot in life but increasingly educated people are joining this brigade. This declining trend largely stems from many reasons above all disenchantment and indifference.

In India-the largest democracy in the world, voter turnout is not only lower among youths but reports show that voter turnout is steadily lowering in big cities among the discerning and affluent voters.  India is a nation where we have more than half of population which comes under “youth” but only 20-25% of the 40% voted in the 2009 general election.

But things turned for the better in the 2014 Lok Sabha election, which earned the distinction of recording the highest voter turnout ever at 66.4%. This surpasses the 64% polling witnessed in the 1984 polls, held in extraordinary circumstances following the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, and makes the 58.2% turnout of 2009 pale in comparison; an increase of 32% in total votes cast compared to 2009.

The Election Commission of India attributed the surge in turnout to its targeted approach in meeting gaps in voter registration, its strategy to promote informed and fearless voting, SVEEP committees at the state and district level, voter facilitation measures, central awareness observers and the nearly 25,000 campus ambassadors appointed by it to encourage the youth to participate in elections.

Despite growing disdain for politics and parties, voters must promote ethical and aware participation in the electoral process and check the precipitous dropping in voter turnout. Voters’ participation in the democratic and electoral processes is integral to the successful running of any democracy and the very basis of wholesome democratic elections.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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