Rajasthan
Rajasthan: Poll Expenses Per Voter In Raj Rise 85 Fold Since 1957 | Jaipur News
Jaipur: The expenditure incurred by the election commission per voter in Rajasthan assembly polls increased 85 times from the second assembly election in 1957 to the 15th election held in 2018. The figure translates to Rs 0.5 paise per voter in 1957 to Rs 42.53 in 2018.
This expenditure jumped significantly from Rs 7.34 per voter in 2003 to Rs 42.53 in 2018. The expenditure rose by Rs 27 over the last three assembly polls, from Rs 15.34 in 2008 to Rs 42.53 in 2018.
Experts say that the expenditure per voter in Rajasthan is among the highest in the country due to the state’s size and rugged geography. Also, it has the highest number of polling booths due to its size, which adds to the cost. In terms of amount, the total election expenditure jumped from Rs 51 lakh in 1957 to Rs 203.57 crore in 2018.
“Conducting elections in Rajasthan comes with several challenges exclusive to the state. The election commission has introduced an aggressive approach called the Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) program to increase voter registration and ensure polling. The SVEEP program includes several activities that involve huge costs. Considering the size of the state, which is 10% of the country, the cost escalates,” said an officer posted at the state election office.
The number of voters also determines the cost. The state saw 1.16 crore more voters in 2018 than in 2013, for a total tally of 3.57 crore votes. The poll percentage was 74% in 2018. “The election office has increased outreach programs in all constituencies under the SVEEP. It includes new measures for safety and surveillance, increasing facilities at polling booths, the addition of new polling booths, training of staff, etc,” said an official.
The geography of the state makes the distance between two polling booths span kilometers, especially in desert districts. The state has polling booths for 35–40 registered voters each, with all facilities accounting for the total expenditure per booth.
Commenting on the rising expenditure, six-time MLA Vasudev Devnani said, “I was first elected in 1998 from Ajmer North and can recall that the election campaign was restricted to limited places. The polling booths were very ordinary, with almost no facilities as we see today, such as ramps, lights, cameras, and transport facilities for PwDs.”
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This expenditure jumped significantly from Rs 7.34 per voter in 2003 to Rs 42.53 in 2018. The expenditure rose by Rs 27 over the last three assembly polls, from Rs 15.34 in 2008 to Rs 42.53 in 2018.
Experts say that the expenditure per voter in Rajasthan is among the highest in the country due to the state’s size and rugged geography. Also, it has the highest number of polling booths due to its size, which adds to the cost. In terms of amount, the total election expenditure jumped from Rs 51 lakh in 1957 to Rs 203.57 crore in 2018.
“Conducting elections in Rajasthan comes with several challenges exclusive to the state. The election commission has introduced an aggressive approach called the Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) program to increase voter registration and ensure polling. The SVEEP program includes several activities that involve huge costs. Considering the size of the state, which is 10% of the country, the cost escalates,” said an officer posted at the state election office.
The number of voters also determines the cost. The state saw 1.16 crore more voters in 2018 than in 2013, for a total tally of 3.57 crore votes. The poll percentage was 74% in 2018. “The election office has increased outreach programs in all constituencies under the SVEEP. It includes new measures for safety and surveillance, increasing facilities at polling booths, the addition of new polling booths, training of staff, etc,” said an official.
The geography of the state makes the distance between two polling booths span kilometers, especially in desert districts. The state has polling booths for 35–40 registered voters each, with all facilities accounting for the total expenditure per booth.
Commenting on the rising expenditure, six-time MLA Vasudev Devnani said, “I was first elected in 1998 from Ajmer North and can recall that the election campaign was restricted to limited places. The polling booths were very ordinary, with almost no facilities as we see today, such as ramps, lights, cameras, and transport facilities for PwDs.”
We also published the following articles recently
2,486 polling booths set up in Indore
The Indore election office has set up a total of 2,486 polling booths for the upcoming assembly polls. Some of these booths have less than 300 voters while others have more than 1,600 electors. The maximum limit for a polling booth is set at 1,500 voters, but there is a provision to set up auxiliary polling stations for booths with more than 1,500 voters. The election office is taking steps to ensure that there are adequate arrangements at the polling booths to facilitate the voters.
The Indore election office has set up a total of 2,486 polling booths for the upcoming assembly polls. Some of these booths have less than 300 voters while others have more than 1,600 electors. The maximum limit for a polling booth is set at 1,500 voters, but there is a provision to set up auxiliary polling stations for booths with more than 1,500 voters. The election office is taking steps to ensure that there are adequate arrangements at the polling booths to facilitate the voters.
5.26cr voters registered in Raj, rise of 49L since last Assembly election
The state of Rajasthan has seen an increase of 49 lakh voters since the last assembly elections in 2018, with a total of 5.26 crore voters currently registered. The final voter list, published following a revision of electoral rolls, also reveals that there are 11.78 lakh voters above 80 years old and 17,241 voters above 100 years old. Additionally, there are 5.61 lakh specially abled voters and 22.04 lakh first-time voters in the state. The gender ratio has improved from 917 to 920, and there has been a net increase of 6.96 lakh voters.
The state of Rajasthan has seen an increase of 49 lakh voters since the last assembly elections in 2018, with a total of 5.26 crore voters currently registered. The final voter list, published following a revision of electoral rolls, also reveals that there are 11.78 lakh voters above 80 years old and 17,241 voters above 100 years old. Additionally, there are 5.61 lakh specially abled voters and 22.04 lakh first-time voters in the state. The gender ratio has improved from 917 to 920, and there has been a net increase of 6.96 lakh voters.
