As the Lok Sabha elections draw nearer, the electoral landscape in Maharashtra’s Pune district is marked by a notable surge in candidate nominations. Presently, 42 candidates are vying for representation in Pune city, 46 contenders have emerged for the Maval constituency, and 35 individuals are in the fray for the Shirur seat.
Ensuring the integrity of the electoral process, authorities are meticulously scrutinizing the affidavits submitted by candidates to prevent any irregularities in the selection process.
Efforts to Boost Voter Turnout
With a commitment to enhancing democratic participation, the Pune district administration is intensifying efforts to amplify voter turnout, particularly in constituencies that witnessed lower participation during the previous Lok Sabha elections.
During the 2019 polls, the Pune constituency recorded a turnout of 49.84%. In response, the district administration is targeting areas such as Shivajinagar, Kothrud, Wadgaonsheri, Pune Cantonment, Parvati, and Kasba Peth, which registered turnouts between 46% and 55% in the last elections.
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Pune Metro are actively engaged in these endeavors. Notably, the district election office has executed a meticulous process resulting in the removal of 55,770 deceased voters aged over 80 from the electoral rolls.
Enhanced Electoral Procedures
Regular revisions of the electoral rolls are conducted to ensure accuracy and relevance. A recent initiative focused on identifying deceased voters aged over 80 and eliminating them from the rolls. This rigorous exercise underscores the commitment to maintaining the integrity of the electoral process.
In a significant move towards inclusivity, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has introduced a ‘home voting’ facility for senior citizens above 85 years of age and persons with disabilities (PWDs) for the first time in Lok Sabha elections. However, the response has been modest, with only 290 applications received for home voting from senior citizens above 85 years of age in the Baramati parliamentary constituency, despite the presence of 37,093 eligible voters in this demographic.
As the electoral machinery gears up for the upcoming polls, these initiatives aim to ensure a fair and inclusive democratic process in Pune and its surrounding areas.
