Arunachal is gearing up for another election year. While political parties are attempting to reach out to the voters through whirlwind of programmes and rallies, the government machinery is busy honing its manpower resources to ensure the ensuing election passes off in a transparent and glitch free manner.  

Sending across a strong message, Chief Secretary Satya Gopal warned government employees of strict action if found to be involved in campaigns related to the election during the ensuing polls. The CS said that he will not tolerate any misconduct from any government employee during the ensuing election and advised them to act in the most neutral manner following the Model Code of Conduct.

In 2014, a little over 7,50,000 voters participated in the simultaneous polls in the frontier state. In all likelihood, this number will go up as many youngsters will join as first-time voters this time around. This latter category of voters is crucial for a healthy democracy and their participation and voting behaviour is something to watch out for. Understanding this importance, the Election Commission has made an effort to assimilate eligible young electors, with special focus on the 18-21 age group to enroll them.

Voters participation in recent times has nosedived and more so among the young educated urban citizens. 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.  

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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