Chennai: Out of the 26 lakh youngsters aged 18 and 19 in the State, nearly half are yet to enrol in the voters list. According to Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi, only 18 lakh teenagers have registered to vote in Tamilnadu, a section of the people that Election Commission is keen on focussing.
"As of 20 January, 5,79,00,000 voters are on the electoral rolls. As for new applications, 16 of 17 lakh entries only have been accepted. Those whose applications have been rejected will be intimated by individual notice. However, they can re-apply in case of any errors," he said at a press meet held here yesterday.
The Election Commission has been conducting its registration drive via social media campaigns and field visits to city colleges. Today, a drive took place at Chellammal College where students were given orientation about online registration and urged to enrol.
As for security during the upcoming elections, the Election Commission is planning to give extra protection to nine districts in northern Tamilnadu where weaker sections of society have risk of being harassed. "CCTVs will be used extensively in these areas. We have also directed district officials to ensure that not a single voter is intimidated," Zaidi said.
Even before polls, the EC has started reviewing vulnerable areas and is strategising a new method of curb bribery, it is learnt. Eleven agencies, comprising revenue intelligence and district officers, will monitor pre-poll arrangements.
"A web-based application to look into liquor distribution, bribery and cash transaction during elections will be launched. A nodal officer will be deputed for co-ordinating with blind people. A Braille system will be in place for them to vote," he said.
The facilities made available in the 69,618 polling booths will include drinking water, toilets and ramp. The EC aims at timely and effective disposal of complaints - within 24 hours, he pointed out. The complainant will be informed about the status of the complaints through SMS.
After the first phase of elimination of bogus voters is over, the next phase will go on from 15-29 February where door-to-door verification will be done in poll-bound States. In non-poll-bound States, it will happen between 1 April and 31 August.
On the day of Tamilnadu Assembly elections, 17 VVPAD (voter verifiable pad) will be set up in 17 constituencies along with EVMs (electronic voting machines). VVPAD is a machine attached to the EVM, where the vote cast will be displayed as output.
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