Stating that there would be more persons between the age of 18 and 19 years to register as voters, T.N. Venkatesh, Electoral Roll Observer, has urged representatives form political parties to work in tandem with the district administration in spreading awareness of the same.
Addressing members of political parties in the district and officers in-charge of the conduct of elections, Mr. Venkatesh said that while there were 1.01 lakh persons between 18 and 19 years in the district, there were only 69,152 registered voters in that age group.
“Parties should ensure that their booth-level agents (BLAs) take steps to encourage persons living near the polling booths they are in charge of, get themselves enrolled for Voter ID cards in the special camps to be conducted,” he said.
In the Madurai constituency, records indicate that nearly 75 per cent of the population were on the electoral rolls, he stated.
Stating that special camps would be held on October 26 and November 2 in the district, Mr. Venkatesh urged for more awareness to be provided to youngsters to get themselves enrolled.
“They can enrol themselves online as well through the portals set up by the election commission. BLAs can also facilitate enrolment but must remember that not more than 10 applications can be brought at a time for enrolment,” he stated. Mr. Venkatesh interacted with the representatives of parties which included AIADMK, DMK, BSP, CPI-(M), BJP and Congress from the district and listened to their queries regarding the ongoing updating.
Representatives from the BJP asked for a detailed list of polling booths and Mr. Venkatesh said that the list would be handed over to them at the earliest since an order had already come from the Chief Election Officer about the same.
He also said that 7,963 changes in the Madurai constituency electoral rolls with regard to deletion of names and mistakes in details had been done and that further complaints submitted with regard to re-duplication were being examined.
InspectionMr. Venkatesh conducted a surprise inspection at Singarayar Colony, HAK road and Police quarters areas to verify details of persons who have registered through online as well as by obtaining forms for updating details and adding into the electoral rolls. He was accompanied by officials from the Madurai Corporation and district administration, said a press release.
