VIJAYAWADA: Even as the need for youth to play a deciding factor in the electoral process is increasing, here is some good news for the people of Vijayawada city, where close to 70,000 young voters, who are in the age group of 18-19, have voluntarily enrolled themselves as fresh voters after 2014 elections.
All the enrolled voters will be casting their vote to their favourite political party in the coming 2019 general elections. Possibly, it can alter the political equations if the majority of them favours a single party.
Despite the number of voters decreased to 5.9 lakh from 7.3 lakh, by 1.4 lakh, owing to allocation of houses to the people who lost their houses for various development works like Kanaka Durga Flyover and Krishna Pushkarams, at JNNURM Colony in Jakkampudi which now falls under Mylavaram Assembly constituency limits. The officials said that it is a positive sign as more number of youth enrolled for the next elections.
“When compared to 2014 elections, there is a huge decrease. But, we observed an upsurge in voluntary enrolment. People, especially youth, turned up in huge numbers and registered themselves online with the Election Commission of India. However, the comprehensive publication will be out by March-end,” said Electoral Registration officer SV Ravindra.
In all the three constituencies - Central, East, and West, an average of 20,000 fresh enrolment was registered with youth being high in numbers. With East constituency being top with 2.45 lakh voters of all age groups, Central and West constituencies followed next with having around 1.84 lakh and 1.77 lakh voters.The officials further said that they observed a slight increase in the voter enrolment in the age group of 20 to 29 years.
“Settlers, newcomers and other sections of people finding Vijayawada as a job destination after the state bifurcation. It helped a bit,” he said.Officials further said out of 100, more than 80 percent of fresh enrolments are received online. With technology coming handy, online applications have increased. One can avail the services of transfer or corrections from the website. Also, to motivate youngsters who have attained the age of 18 years, officials are conducting various awareness drives in colleges to get them registered and train them in knowing their right as a voter.
Increase in transgender voter enrolment
Unlike in the past, transgenders in the city have voluntary enrolled in the electoral roll. So far, 102 transgenders registered themselves with the electoral roll. After the State government extended pensions to third genders, Vijayawada election cell received 40 enrolments of transgenders from the Central constituency, 36 from West and 26 from East. Officials further said booth level officers were sent to identify them and bring under the electoral radar.
Voter turnout
Krishna district reported 1.92 lakh fresh enrolment in the age group of 18-19
Only 63 percent of 41.3 lakh population in the district are eligible to cast their votes in 2019 elections
Voter database
Voters in the age group of 18-29 (approximate figures)
Central - 60,000
East - 80,000
West - 65,000
Voters in the age group of 30-49
Central - 40,000
East - 70,000
West - 60,000
Voters in the age group of 50 and above
Central - 50,000
East - 50,000
West - 50,000