Boosting Voter Turnout: ECI’s Strategy for General Elections 2024

ECI’s Strategy for General Elections 2024: Ahead of the polling in the ongoing General Elections 2024, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has intensified efforts to boost voter turnout in Parliamentary Constituencies (PCs) with a history of low poll participation. In a day-long ‘Conference on Low Voter Turnout’ held at Nirvachan Sadan, New Delhi, Municipal Commissioners from major cities and select District Election Officers (DEOs) from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh convened to strategize ways to enhance voter engagement and participation in identified urban and rural PCs. The Conference, chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Shri Rajiv Kumar along with Election Commissioners Shri Gyanesh Kumar and Shri Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, witnessed the release of a booklet on voter apathy by the Commission.

According to data from the 2019 General Elections to the Lok Sabha, 11 States/UTs had a voter turnout lower than the national average of 67.40%, with 40 rural PCs from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar identified with lower turnout. Notably, 51-Phulpur PC in Uttar Pradesh and 29-Nalanda PC in Bihar recorded the lowest turnouts of 48.7% and 48.79%, respectively.

Addressing the Municipal Commissioners and DEOs, CEC Shri Rajiv Kumar emphasized a three-pronged strategy to tackle the issue, including facilitation at polling stations, targeted outreach and communication, and involvement of critical stakeholders like Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) and local influencers. Stressing the importance of tailored strategies for urban and rural areas, CEC Kumar highlighted the need for booth-wise action plans and region-specific interventions to drive behavior change among voters.

The conference, marked by collaborative efforts between the ECI and key stakeholders, aimed to craft a comprehensive action plan addressing voter apathy and logistical challenges while increasing turnout. Discussions revolved around optimizing queue management, facilitating voting in high-rise buildings, and leveraging the Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) program.

In line with the ECI’s vision of partnership and inclusivity, Municipal Commissioners and DEOs were urged to actively contribute to the initiative. Urban-specific hurdles were identified, and city-specific interventions were planned to resonate with the unique needs of constituencies. Innovative voter awareness campaigns under SVEEP were outlined, including utilizing public transport vehicles, incorporating messages into utility bills, collaborating with RWAs, hosting informative sessions at public spaces, and leveraging social media platforms for extensive outreach.

The Conference witnessed the participation of Municipal Commissioners from major cities and select DEOs, both physically and virtually, reflecting a collective commitment to enhance voter participation in the upcoming elections.