LUCKNOW: While voters in adjoining states Uttarakhand and Punjab voted in large numbers - 70 per cent and 78 per cent respectively - in the recently held Assembly elections, the enthusiasm of the electorate of the most populated state, Uttar Pradesh, is to be seen in the seven-phased polling starting on February 8.
“I am confident that the polling percentage in Uttar Pradesh will be at least 60 this time,” Chief Election Officer Umesh Sinha told the Express.
The Election Commission had launched an awareness campaign all over the state on Sinha’s initiative to increase voting percentage, which was a poor 45 per cent in 2007.
Sinha had engaged NGOs, universities’ teachers and students in slogan competition, wall writing and other means to create awareness for voting.
Some schools have declared that students would be given additional marks if their parents exercised their franchise.
According to Sinha, Uttar Pradesh has the largest number of voters - 12.45 crore - compared to any other state in India and therefore it has the responsibility of inspiring others by turning up in a large number to vote.
The EC is confident that the young voters would play an active role in taking the percentage upwards this time.