News Analysis India

Tag: Voters

  • EC takes cognisance of sudden increase in voters in Uttarakhand, orders inquiry

    Express News Service

    DEHRADUN: The Election Commission of India has ordered an inquiry into the reasons for the unprecedented rapid increase in the number of voters in Uttarakhand in the last 10 years. On the orders of the Commission, the State Election Commission has written a letter to the District Election Officers and ordered a quick investigation by constituting committees at the district level, assembly constituency level and polling station level in every district. 

    During the Uttarakhand assembly elections in 2022, Dehradun-based think tank Social Development for Communities (SDC) Foundation had released a detailed report based on Election Commission data on the unprecedented increase in the number of voters in the state in the last 10 years. The foundation had compared the voting percentage with voters in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Manipur and Goa. Amongall these states, Uttarakhand had the highest increase in the number of voters.

    Based on this report, former IFS officer and Uttarakhand Raksha Morcha president Dr V K Bahuguna had written to the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister before the Chief Election Commissioner, insisting on demanding an inquiry into the matter. Bahuguna said, “This unusual increase in the number of voters hasthreatened the cultural integrity of the state. Uttarakhand’s carrying capacity has already ended many years ago”.

    On the basis of the SDC Foundation’s report, the committee to be formed at the district level to investigate will have four members, including the Deputy District Election Officer. The assembly constituency-level committee will have six members, including the electoral registration officer, and the booth-levelcommittee will have five members, including Patwari nominated by the deputy district magistrate. The State Election Commission has asked to complete this investigation and submit the report by February 28, 2023.

    Welcoming the Election Commission’s order to probe the comparative increase, SDC Foundation chairman Anup Nautiyal told The New Indian Express, “The seats where the number of voters have increased the most are all seats in the plains. Among the 70 seats in the state, Dharampur assembly constituency in Dehradun district recorded the highest voter registration. In the last 10 years, the number of voters in this assembly constituency has increased by 72 percent”.

    Apart from Dharampur, Rudrapur, Doiwala, Sahaspur, Kaladhungi, Kashipur, Raipur, Kichha, BHEL Ranipur and Rishikesh have seen the highest increase in the number of voters from 41 per cent to 72 per cent.

    Nautiyal further said, “With such a large number of people coming from outside and settling in Uttarakhand, there is a lot of pressure on the state’s ability to take care of the cities. Most cities in the state are already burdened far beyond their carrying capacity. This is leading to lack of civic amenities and different kinds of urban problems”.

    In the next few months, municipal elections are to be held in eight municipal corporations of the state – Dehradun, Haridwar, Roorkee, Rishikesh, Kotdwar, Haldwani, Kashipur and Rudrapur.

    SDC chairman Nautiyal expressed apprehension, “These eight cities and their districts have recorded the highest increase in the number of voters. It needs to be noted that people are being brought in from outside to strengthen the vote bank. Along with all this, there may be a possibility of doing so in a plannedmanner for social, religious or security reasons as well as political reasons”.

    DEHRADUN: The Election Commission of India has ordered an inquiry into the reasons for the unprecedented rapid increase in the number of voters in Uttarakhand in the last 10 years. On the orders of the Commission, the State Election Commission has written a letter to the District Election Officers and ordered a quick investigation by constituting committees at the district level, assembly constituency level and polling station level in every district. 

    During the Uttarakhand assembly elections in 2022, Dehradun-based think tank Social Development for Communities (SDC) Foundation had released a detailed report based on Election Commission data on the unprecedented increase in the number of voters in the state in the last 10 years. The foundation had compared the voting percentage with voters in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Manipur and Goa. Among
    all these states, Uttarakhand had the highest increase in the number of voters.

    Based on this report, former IFS officer and Uttarakhand Raksha Morcha president Dr V K Bahuguna had written to the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister before the Chief Election Commissioner, insisting on demanding an inquiry into the matter. Bahuguna said, “This unusual increase in the number of voters has
    threatened the cultural integrity of the state. Uttarakhand’s carrying capacity has already ended many years ago”.

    On the basis of the SDC Foundation’s report, the committee to be formed at the district level to investigate will have four members, including the Deputy District Election Officer. The assembly constituency-level committee will have six members, including the electoral registration officer, and the booth-level
    committee will have five members, including Patwari nominated by the deputy district magistrate. The State Election Commission has asked to complete this investigation and submit the report by February 28, 2023.

    Welcoming the Election Commission’s order to probe the comparative increase, SDC Foundation chairman Anup Nautiyal told The New Indian Express, “The seats where the number of voters have increased the most are all seats in the plains. Among the 70 seats in the state, Dharampur assembly constituency in Dehradun district recorded the highest voter registration. In the last 10 years, the number of voters in this assembly constituency has increased by 72 percent”.

    Apart from Dharampur, Rudrapur, Doiwala, Sahaspur, Kaladhungi, Kashipur, Raipur, Kichha, BHEL Ranipur and Rishikesh have seen the highest increase in the number of voters from 41 per cent to 72 per cent.

    Nautiyal further said, “With such a large number of people coming from outside and settling in Uttarakhand, there is a lot of pressure on the state’s ability to take care of the cities. Most cities in the state are already burdened far beyond their carrying capacity. This is leading to lack of civic amenities and different kinds of urban problems”.

    In the next few months, municipal elections are to be held in eight municipal corporations of the state – Dehradun, Haridwar, Roorkee, Rishikesh, Kotdwar, Haldwani, Kashipur and Rudrapur.

    SDC chairman Nautiyal expressed apprehension, “These eight cities and their districts have recorded the highest increase in the number of voters. It needs to be noted that people are being brought in from outside to strengthen the vote bank. Along with all this, there may be a possibility of doing so in a planned
    manner for social, religious or security reasons as well as political reasons”.

  • Committee will be set up to make process of enlisting transgenders as voters easier: CEC

    Speaking about the hardships faced by transgenders while enlisting themselves as voters, Kumar told reporters that he and his colleagues had a meeting with a group of transgenders.

  • Have ‘zero tolerance’ towards distribution of any kind of inducement: Chief Election Commissioner

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Election Commission on Friday said it has “zero tolerance” towards distribution of inducement to voters in the Himachal Pradesh polls and bodies including the GST will ensure that freebies are not given out to influence voters.

    Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar also said the poll panel is awaiting response from political parties on its proposal to introduce a fresh proforma where they can explain how they propose the election promises made to voters.

    Parties have been asked on how will they manage the required finances. The EC plans to tweak the model code by making the proforma part of it.

    “Political parties, candidates have an undisputed right to announce or make a promise which they feel is feasible. Voters also have a right to know how will it be fulfilled. So this consultative process will be governed by the existing extant legislative framework . The political parties are to come back to us by October 19 and thereafter we will decide on what needs to be done,” Kumar said.

    ALSO READ| Freebies: SC refuses to grant urgent listing

    Responding to questions on attempts to induce voters by distributing freebies, the CEC said the poll panel has “zero tolerance” towards distribution of any kind of inducement and it has energised the entire machinery.

    “GST will look at all the e-ways and goods which are going to the poll-bound states, even the nearby states. They have mapped all the godowns, warehouses, sarees, mixers, all this so that nothing is used (as an inducement),” he said.

    ALSO READ: Freebies out, but let welfare schemes continue

    He said airports will keep a strict watch, including the private airstrips, through the ATC so that “no illegal, unscheduled, irregular flight goes unchecked”.

    Inter-state borders will be sealed in Himachal Pradesh.

    “Nothing comes in. The chief secretary, district commissioners, police personnel understand this very well. And if there is any deficiency in this understanding, we’ll make sure they understand,” he asserted.

    NEW DELHI: The Election Commission on Friday said it has “zero tolerance” towards distribution of inducement to voters in the Himachal Pradesh polls and bodies including the GST will ensure that freebies are not given out to influence voters.

    Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar also said the poll panel is awaiting response from political parties on its proposal to introduce a fresh proforma where they can explain how they propose the election promises made to voters.

    Parties have been asked on how will they manage the required finances. The EC plans to tweak the model code by making the proforma part of it.

    “Political parties, candidates have an undisputed right to announce or make a promise which they feel is feasible. Voters also have a right to know how will it be fulfilled. So this consultative process will be governed by the existing extant legislative framework . The political parties are to come back to us by October 19 and thereafter we will decide on what needs to be done,” Kumar said.

    ALSO READ| Freebies: SC refuses to grant urgent listing

    Responding to questions on attempts to induce voters by distributing freebies, the CEC said the poll panel has “zero tolerance” towards distribution of any kind of inducement and it has energised the entire machinery.

    “GST will look at all the e-ways and goods which are going to the poll-bound states, even the nearby states. They have mapped all the godowns, warehouses, sarees, mixers, all this so that nothing is used (as an inducement),” he said.

    ALSO READ: Freebies out, but let welfare schemes continue

    He said airports will keep a strict watch, including the private airstrips, through the ATC so that “no illegal, unscheduled, irregular flight goes unchecked”.

    Inter-state borders will be sealed in Himachal Pradesh.

    “Nothing comes in. The chief secretary, district commissioners, police personnel understand this very well. And if there is any deficiency in this understanding, we’ll make sure they understand,” he asserted.

  • Farmers issue ‘Voters’ Whip’ to Opposition ahead of Monsoon Session; Punjab CM urges Modi to resume talks

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: Protesting farmers Friday issued a “Voters’ Whip” to Opposition MPs through a letter, asking them to be present in parliament on all days of the Monsoon Session and let no business transact till “the Union Government accedes to the farmers’ demands on the floor of the Houses”.

    They have asked the MPs to not stage a walkout and also return to the House even if they are suspended or removed so that the government does not “push through its business unhindered”.

    The Samyukt Kisan Morcha, which is spearheading the protest against the Centre’s three new agri-marketing laws, told the MPs the “Voters’ Whip” overrides their party whips.

    “If you and your party defy this Voters’ Whip, the farmers of India will be compelled to oppose you on every public stage just as we oppose the leaders, MLAs, MPs of the BJP and its allies,” the SKM said.

    The letter will be handed or sent to the MPs on Saturday as a precursor to the farmers’ protest outside parliament starting July 22, the SKM said.

    The agitating farmers have “directed” the MPs to raise their issues and ensure: “That you must, without fail, be present in the parliament for all the days of the Monsoon session beginning 19th of July 2021; That you and your party must, without break, raise the farmers’ issues and support the above mentioned demands of farmers’ movement on the floor of the house.”

    It has demanded the MPs to not let “any other business” to be transacted in the House till “the Union Government accedes to the farmers’ demands on the floor of the Houses”.

    “That you or any other member of your party must not stage a ‘walk out’ that enables the ruling party to push through its business unhindered, that you must return to the House even if suspended or removed from the House,” it demanded.

    The farmers’ body has planned that around 200 farmers will hold protests outside parliament every day during the Monsoon Session which would conclude on August 13.

    ALSO READ | Farmers from 22 states will participate in protests planned outside parliament: Samyukta Kisan Morcha

    It also announced on Friday to issue I-cards to the farmers who will be protesting outside parliament.

    “Excitement continues to mount about Parliament protest march from July 22, ID card of marchers to be issued by SKM. A huge contingent of women farmers of Krantikari Kisan Union has joined the protesters at Singhu border,” the SKM said in the statement.

    Besides Punjab and Haryana, a large number of farmers from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, Manipur, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan will participate in the protest, the SKM said.

    Thousands of farmers from across the country have been agitating at the Delhi borders against the three farm laws that they claim will do away with the Minimum Support Price system, leaving them at the mercy of big corporations.

    Over 10 rounds of talks with the government, which has been projecting the laws at major agricultural reforms, have failed to break the deadlock.

    Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Friday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to immediately resume talks with agitating farmers, sending him a letter that cited “cross-border threat” by ISI-backed groups ahead of the state assembly polls.

    Singh proposed to lead an all-party delegation from Punjab for a discussion with the prime minister to find a durable and amicable solution to the farmers’ protests which are “threatening the state’s social fabric and impacting economic activities as well”, said a government statement.

    Protesting farmers are camping at Delhi borders demanding repeal of the Centre’s three farm laws.

    In a letter to Modi, the chief minister cited “heightened cross-border threat and increased drone and other terrorist activities by ISI-backed groups, including plans by Khalistani outfits to target certain farmer leaders”.

    He warned that powers across the border “may try to play upon the charged emotions of our proud, sincere, and hardworking farmers” of Punjab.

    “The situation is presently under control but I fear that provocative statements, conduct of some political parties and the emotional backlash might create law and order problems and also lead to irreversible damage to the hard-earned peace in the state,” Singh said.

    He underscored the need for the Union government to address farmers’ genuine concerns.

    The statement pointed to “rising resentment” in Punjab on account of the farm laws, which, Singh said, he had asked to be reviewed in his two letters written in 2020.

    The statement also noted an increase in drone activity in villages falling within 5-6 km of Indo-Pak border earlier, with “consignments of weapons and heroin being delivered into India by Pakistan”.

    Intelligence reports also suggest that with the Assembly elections in Punjab just a few months away, “ISI-led Khalistani and Kashmiri terror outfits are planning terrorist action in the state in the near future”, the statement said.

    In his letter, Singh pointed out that farmers have been protesting for the past seven months on Delhi-Haryana borders, and also in the state, demanding repeal of these laws, and their protests have been more or less peaceful.

    ALSO READ | Gurnam Chaduni wants to become another Kejriwal through farmers’ stir: Anil Vij

    “It is a little unfortunate that the multiple rounds of engagement between the Union ministers and representatives of farmers’ groups have not proved successful,” he said.

    “Besides the threat to the state’s socio-economic fabric due to the unrest caused by the farm laws, the day-to-day political activities in line with people’s democratic rights are also adversely affected due to the agitation, though the state government has tried its best to maintain law and order,” said the chief minister.

    “It has been over seven months since the farmers’ agitation began against the farm laws, which they claim will do away with the minimum support price system, leaving them at the mercy of big corporations,” he said.

    Over 10 rounds of talks with the government, which has been projecting the laws as major agricultural reforms, has failed to break the deadlock between the two sides.

  • Vigilance and awareness of voters is essential for building a strong democracy

    District and Sessions Judge Jagdamba Rao attended the district level 11th National Voters Day function held at Government Girls College, Janjgir on Monday. During this, he said that the awareness and awareness of the voters is necessary for the establishment of a fully dominated democratic republic and for building a strong democracy. Jagdamba Rao said that the Election Commission of India was formed on 25 January, 1 day before India became a republic on 26 January 1950. He greeted the new voters and called them, saying that in future you will represent democracy and will play an important role in building a strong democracy. He asked the young voters to become self-aware about voting and also make other voters aware. At the same time, Collector and District Election Officer Yashwant Kumar said that every 18 years of citizens in India are entitled to the constitution. He said that every voter should vote fair and free irrespective of caste, creed, class, lineage, language, culture so that our democracy can be strengthened. In the program, the collector distributed EPIC cards to voters 18 years or older. It includes Prachi Sahu, Bhupendra Shekhar Garhwal, Jyoti Kumari, Shruti Patel, Anand Ranjan Verma, Tulsi Thawait, Ashutosh Sharma, Kosi Kumari Dewangan, Naveen Kumar Dewangan, Kumari Sanchi, Saurabh Sahu and Manish. During this period Jagdamba Rao honored the BLO and Nodal Officer for their outstanding work in voter awareness work by giving them a citation and citation of Rs 5000. These include assistant teacher Arvind Yadav of Gatola 150 polling station in Akaltara assembly constituency, BLO of Janjgir Champa 73 and BLO of assistant teacher Parameshwar Yadav of Sakthi, BLO Devanand Rathore of 175 Jetha, Sakthi polling station, Manglu Ram of Chandrapur 55 Khote, Jajaipur’s polling station 89, Manoj Kumar Manohar of Amgaon and polling station number 40 of assembly constituency Pamgarh, BLO teacher Gayatri Trivedi of Chorbhatti and Nodal Officer and Professor Sneha Thawait. During this period, voters were sworn to vote without any temptation, fearing the dignity of free, fair and peaceful voting, having full faith in democracy, maintaining democratic work dignities. SDM Maneka Pradhan thanked. Additional Collector Leena Kosam, Administrative Departmental Officer, Election Superintendent Sahu, Principal Shukla, Professor, new voters and students were present in the program.

  • Voters should recognize the value of their vote and select the candidate of character: Shri TP Sharma

    On the occasion of National Voters’ Day, Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh Public Commission, Lokayukta Justice TP Sharma said that voters should recognize the value of their vote and choose a candidate of character. He asked the voters to use 100 per cent of their franchise and vote fearlessly without any pressure and temptation. Mr. Sharma distributed voter ID cards (EPIC cards) to new voters. He told the voters that voters use the EPIC card only for identification, but must use it for whom it is found. He congratulated the officials and employees associated with the election for successfully conducting the Marwahi Assembly by-election in Kovid period. Shri Sharma said that when officers and employees associated with elections are determined to conduct elections in difficult circumstances, we should also be determined to use our vote. The message of the Chief Election Commissioner of the Election Commission of India was also heard on the occasion.

    On the occasion of National Voters’ Day, Chief Lokayukta Shri Sharma administered the oath to the voters. He vowed to the voters, ‘We citizens of India, keeping our full faith in democracy that we will uphold the dignity of democratic traditions of our country, and keeping the dignity of free, fair and peaceful elections intact, fearless religion, Pledged to exercise his franchise in all elections without being influenced by any temptation of class, caste, community, language or any other.

  • Ashish Kundra appointed new Mizoram chief electoral officer

    The Election Commission Thursday appointed IAS officer Ashish Kundra as poll-bound Mizoram’s new chief electoral officer, replacing S B Shashank.

    The order came after some civil society groups in Mizoram demanded Shashank’s ouster over a row on allowing Bru voters lodged in Tripura relief camps to exercise their franchise from there.

    “The Election Commission of India in consultation with the Government of Mizoram hereby nominates Ashish Kundra as the chief electoral officer for the state of Mizoram with immediate effect,” a notification issued by the EC said.

    The EC had earlier asked the Mizoram government for a panel of names to replace Shashank.

    Mizoram goes to polls on November 28.