Jaipur: It seems that the wedding season weighed heavy over voting in Rajasthan!
Despite initiating a series of innovative strategies to motivate voters to cast votes, Election Commission of India (ECI) was not successful as Rajasthan recorded a polling percentage of only 75.45%, marginally higher than in 2018 assembly polls.
Officials engaged in the polling exercise and veteran political leaders of the state feel that large scale weddings on November 23 – barely two days before the polling day – had played spoilsport and did not allow the polling percentage in the dessert state to cross the 80% mark.
“Initially, ECI had announced November 23 as the polling date. The date coincided with Dev Uthani Ekadashi, an auspicious occasion when more than 50,000 weddings were scheduled in the state. Although ECI had changed the date to November 25, it did not make much difference. Baraatis had gone to a different districts for weddings and many could not return to cast votes,” said a government official, who was engaged as a returning official of a constituency.
To ensure 100% voting in the state, ECI had appointed a team in each district of the state under the Voter Education Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation. Headed by the district election officer, an IAS-ranked official and a district coordinator, these teams had organized several innovative programmes to motivate voters, especially the youths.
We also published the following articles recently
Despite initiating a series of innovative strategies to motivate voters to cast votes, Election Commission of India (ECI) was not successful as Rajasthan recorded a polling percentage of only 75.45%, marginally higher than in 2018 assembly polls.
Officials engaged in the polling exercise and veteran political leaders of the state feel that large scale weddings on November 23 – barely two days before the polling day – had played spoilsport and did not allow the polling percentage in the dessert state to cross the 80% mark.
“Initially, ECI had announced November 23 as the polling date. The date coincided with Dev Uthani Ekadashi, an auspicious occasion when more than 50,000 weddings were scheduled in the state. Although ECI had changed the date to November 25, it did not make much difference. Baraatis had gone to a different districts for weddings and many could not return to cast votes,” said a government official, who was engaged as a returning official of a constituency.
To ensure 100% voting in the state, ECI had appointed a team in each district of the state under the Voter Education Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation. Headed by the district election officer, an IAS-ranked official and a district coordinator, these teams had organized several innovative programmes to motivate voters, especially the youths.
We also published the following articles recently
Rajasthan polls: Vasundhara Raje casts vote in Jhalawar, urges voters to make lotus bloom
Former Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje casts her vote in Jhalawar for state Assembly elections. Raje urges all voters, especially first-time voters, to vote for BJP. Raje is contesting from Jhalrapatan constituency against Ram Lal Chouhan. BJP candidate Rajyavardhan Rathore expresses confidence in BJP’s victory. Prominent candidates include Ashok Gehlot, Sachin Pilot.
Former Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje casts her vote in Jhalawar for state Assembly elections. Raje urges all voters, especially first-time voters, to vote for BJP. Raje is contesting from Jhalrapatan constituency against Ram Lal Chouhan. BJP candidate Rajyavardhan Rathore expresses confidence in BJP’s victory. Prominent candidates include Ashok Gehlot, Sachin Pilot.
TDP moves ECI over voter roll anomalies
TDP lodges complaint with Election Commission of India (ECI) over irregularities in voter lists in Andhra Pradesh. Party urges ECI to appoint high-level taskforce for overseeing special summary revision works. TDP alleges inclusion of fake votes in voter lists and requests removal of staff from village and ward secretariats. Delegation submits 11-page representation outlining irregularities to chief election commissioner. Parallel system created in name of village and ward secretariats, against constitutional amendments, TDP claims.
TDP lodges complaint with Election Commission of India (ECI) over irregularities in voter lists in Andhra Pradesh. Party urges ECI to appoint high-level taskforce for overseeing special summary revision works. TDP alleges inclusion of fake votes in voter lists and requests removal of staff from village and ward secretariats. Delegation submits 11-page representation outlining irregularities to chief election commissioner. Parallel system created in name of village and ward secretariats, against constitutional amendments, TDP claims.
Young and first time voters enthusiastic about casting vote in Telangana elections
The Telangana State Elections are approaching and the Youngistaan Foundation, in collaboration with the Times of India, organized an artistic dialogue to promote youth engagement in voting. The event brought together around 100 first-time voters who pledged to cast their votes. It featured slam poetry, rap performances, and an open mic session led by young artists. Johnny Sandesh headlined the event with a stand-up show, supported by Patruni Chidananda Sastry and band Varnam. The participants expressed their intention to examine the party’s track record, candidates, and manifestos before voting.
The Telangana State Elections are approaching and the Youngistaan Foundation, in collaboration with the Times of India, organized an artistic dialogue to promote youth engagement in voting. The event brought together around 100 first-time voters who pledged to cast their votes. It featured slam poetry, rap performances, and an open mic session led by young artists. Johnny Sandesh headlined the event with a stand-up show, supported by Patruni Chidananda Sastry and band Varnam. The participants expressed their intention to examine the party’s track record, candidates, and manifestos before voting.
