ECI holds review meeting on turnout implementation plan for Haryana polls
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, September 27, 2024 – A three-member committee from Election Commission of India visited Haryana for a review meeting on a turnout implementation plan for Haryana Legislative Assembly Elections 2024 here today.
Committee members included Secretary, ECI, Santosh Kumar, Under Secretary, ECI, Love Kush Yadav, Senior Consultant, ECI, Aradhana Sharma.The meeting was attended by District SVEEP nodal officers from across the state.
The Secretary, ECI, Sh. Santosh Kumar stressed on ensuring high voter turnout in the upcoming Haryana Legislative Assembly Elections. He called the District SVEEP Nodal officers for ramping up SVEEP activities in public places and at schools of the district to educate public about the significance and essence of casting their franchise.
He called upon officers to adopt a multipronged strategy, organizing various mobilization events to engage the target audience effectively.He also stressed upon the importance of leveraging technology and media like print, digital, electronic, folk, and inter-personal platform to ensure that no voter is left behind.
He emphasized on enhancing awareness among the masses with respect to special polling stations viz. Pink, PwD, and Green, and directed the concerned to give wide publicity regarding facilities being provided at these polling stations.
He also stressed upon conduct of Election Commission of India’s path-breaking home voting facility for citizens who are 85+ and Person with Disabilities (PwD) to send clear message to citizens about the decisive step taken towards facilitating a more equitable and representative democracy, where every citizen’s voice matters, regardless of physical limitations or age.
During the meeting, the ECI team conducted a district-wise detailed review of the possible reasons for low voter turnout during the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections.
They also inquired about the strategies adopted by the nodal officers to address the gaps.
The nodal officers for the SVEEP activities outlined various efforts undertaken to increase voter turnout, including nukkad nataks (street plays), IEC activities, meetings in gram sachivalayas and chaupals, SVEEP banners displayed in hospitals, awareness rallies through rickshaws and taxis, awareness rallies for the first time voters, involvement of sports icons, radio messages, leveraging the power of social media platforms for extensive voter outreach and district-wise SVEEP plans with a special focus on low voter turnout areas.
Additional activities such as special competitions and engagement of Self Help Groups were also highlighted to promote voter participation.The team urged the nodal officers to publicise the facilities available at polling stations, such as shelters, seating areas, water, and other basic amenities to the masses.
They also recommended incorporating QR codes on all SVEEP banners, posters, and publicity materials to broaden the dissemination of information more effectively.
The team appreciated the idea of making theme based polling station by Fatehabad District and called upon the other districts to follow the same pattern.The Election Commission of India is committed to foster a vibrant democracy by actively engaging citizens and removing barriers to voter participation.
Additional Chief Electoral Officer, Sh. Prashant Panwar, expressed his gratitude towards the officers of the Election Commission of India, for appreciating the efforts of the SVEEP teams across the state's districts.
He further added that as we approach the final phase of assembly elections, particularly regarding SVEEP activities, district officers have been directed to engage with every voter in their jurisdiction to maximize voter turnout.