For the first time voters in the State who have registered their mobile numbers with the Election Commission will get poll updates on their mobile phones, such as the total number of candidates in the fray in the respective constituencies, during the Assembly polls this summer. In another initiative, the Commission will update voters in Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai and Tiruchi cities on the number of persons waiting in the queue outside polling stations so that they can prepare their visit accordingly. But, this update is not automatic. It will have to be requisitioned by the voter by sending his/her EPIC number to 1950 on the day of polling.
For queue position, the voter has to type Q space their EPIC number to 1950 on the day of polling and they can get the updates. “We are working on the necessary software for these plans presently,” Only those who have registered their mobile numbers with the EC will get updates just before the poll day and on the day of polling,” Chief Electoral Officer Rajesh Lakhoni said.
Explaining the reason behind the initiative, Mr. Lakhoni, an alumnus of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) said, “We claim to be the IT capital and what is the use of it if we don’t employ suitable technology to make life easy for people? Standing in queue is a major factor that decides the voter’s willingness to come out and vote. By keeping him or her updated, we are in a way motivating them to fulfil their democratic duty.” Though general updates on polling day and number of candidates in the fray would be sent to voters across the State, the update on queue position will be sent only to voters in Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai and Tiruchi this year.
Number of applications
A total of 3,32,159 applications for inclusion in electoral rolls were received during the special camp held on Sunday. Persons intending to include their names in the electoral rolls can apply through the official website or walk into the next special camp scheduled for February 6.
