The Hindu : Few voter I-cards in Capital's elite colonies

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jul 05, 2003

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Few voter I-cards in Capital's elite colonies

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI JULY 4. If you thought that literacy, social upliftment and economic empowerment would strengthen democracy, here is a bit of shocking news. It relates to those staying in New Delhi and South Delhi who are considered the Capital's most educated and well-off lot.

Figures released by the Chief Electoral Officer of Delhi here today reveal that people staying in these high-profile colonies were not much interested in getting the Elector's Photo Identity Card (EPIC).

In two drives carried out by the Election Commission in the past one year, just 59 per cent of the voters in New Delhi got themselves the EPIC. The figure for South Delhi was 65 per cent. On the other hand, Central Delhi areas topped with 79 per cent, compared to the city's average of 69 per cent. Consequently, the Election Commission now plans to bring out these high-profile elitist residents in this part of Delhi to get their photo identity card made. "It is very clear that New Delhi and South Delhi districts have the lowest coverage in terms of EPIC. Special efforts will be made to increase the percentage in such places,'' the Chief Electoral Officer, Arun Goyal, said at a press conference today.

Even in North Delhi and South Delhi, the high percentage of EPIC was due mainly to those living in slum clusters, unauthorised and government colonies, while in many of the posh colonies like Greater Kailash, Saket, Gulmohar Park, Green Park, Hauz Khas and Panchsheel Park it was much lower -- even below 40 per cent in some pockets. Very low polling in these areas has already emerged as a feature of the Capital during every elections.

As for other parts of the Capital, Mr. Goyal said North-West Delhi had 66 per cent EPIC, South-West Delhi 68, East Delhi and North-East Delhi 69 each, West Delhi 74 and North Delhi 76.

Mr. Goyal announced that the Election Commission would launch a fresh EPIC drive from July 7, which will commence at 33 centres and will continue for two months. The schedule has been prepared carefully keeping in view the left out electors for preparation of identity cards in each constituency.

``We plan to prepare 13 lakh cards during current campaign so that at least 85 per cent of the total electors in Delhi have election cards,'' Mr. Goyal said, adding: "All those voters who have not got their EPIC are requested to come forward.'' This past year as many as 20 lakh people got their EPIC made during the two drives, he said. "But 30 per cent of the electors are still without identity cards,'' he said. This time, he said, the Election Commission has planned a publicity campaign so as to motivate the voters to make their identity card.

Mr. Goyal said those eligible voters who still have not got their names enrolled in the voters list can do so by filling Form 6 for inclusion of names. The electoral rolls would be displayed at the offices of Deputy Commissioners, Sub Divisional Magistrates, Food and Supply Officer, Resident Welfare Associations, Market and Trade Associations, Kerosene Oil Depots and Post Offices.

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