The Chief Election Officer of Jammu and Kashmir, P.K. Pole, 30% of the total electorate constitute young voters in the age bracket from 18 to 29 years. The number is quite huge, with about 25 lakh young voters falling within this age group.
He further informed that all those who will turn 18 years of age on July 1, 2024, but could not enrol during the Special Summary Revision can still apply online. The names, after verification, will find a place in the supplementary lists.
During an exclusive chat with Excelsior News, Pole said, "Youth are our future," adding gravity to their role in the democratic process.
He also added that the voting percentage was good in this year's Lok Sabha elections and it should be enhanced in the assembly polls.
The poll commission has also decided that for young people to come in greater numbers, one polling station in each Assembly constituency will be run by staff within the age group of 20-25, who were employed in the last six months.
The facility of doorstep voting, which was initiated in the Lok Sabha elections for bedridden, elderly, and citizens with a disability of 40%, will continue in the Assembly polls also.
This shall be done to ensure inclusivity. Besides, all facilities will be made available at the polling stations for Kashmiri migrants in Jammu, Udhampur, and Delhi.
However, with the Lok Sabha elections around the corner, authorities have established two command and control centres at Jammu and Srinagar to closely monitor the violations of the Model Code of Conduct.
Equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure, these centres shall be based at the CEO's office at twin capital cities to deal with rumour-mongering and ensure that the electoral process remains free and fair.
The round-the-clock control rooms have also been made functional in all 20 Deputy Commissioners' offices. The Model Code of Conduct is now in force and aims at the vision of a fair and peaceful election.
The command and control centres will keep a hawk's eye on electronic and social media channels to check the spread of fake news.
"Besides the electronic channels, the Command and Control Centre is also keeping a strict vigil on social media channels and media portals," the Pole statement read while duplicating "Peace should prevail and norms of Election Commission of India be adhered to.".
Pole appealed to all citizens and political parties to follow guidelines issued by the poll panel for ensuring the sanctity of the democratic process of Jammu and Kashmir.
Follow us
