The number of electorates in Meghalaya has increased from 18, 92,716 to 20, 35, 909 this year but the State is experiencing an enrolment gap in the age groups 18-19 and 20-29.
Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Frederick Roy Kharkongor while launching the special summary revision of photo electoral rolls (1.1.2022) and the publication of integrated draft electoral rolls at a function organised at the Meghalaya Bharat Scouts & Guides auditorium here today has called for cooperation of political parties in bridging the enrolment gap through the Booth Level Assistants (BLAs).
Kharkongor informed that the enrolment gap in the 18-19 age category is 1, 26,315 and amongst the 20-29 age category is 48263 respectively. He also informed that the number of polling stations has increased by 141 Polling stations to 3335 from 3194 Polling Stations earlier.
The CEO emphasised on the importance of the current summary revision as it is a precursor to 2023, in the context of elections being only 14 months away.
He also focussed on the use of technology which has been developed by the Election Commission of India and launched such as the user friendly Voter Helpline App (VHA) which offers a number of electoral services such as online enrolment, digital voter slip, know your candidate, election results, election status, filing complaints, etc which a voter can easily access. The online registration only takes five minutes. It was also indicated that there will be special campaign dates November 13 and 20.
The CEO further informed that in the rural areas, the services of the CSCs (Common Service Centres) will also be roped in to facilitate online enrolment.
Kharkongor also spoke on the challenges of the electoral exercise which is being undertaken in the midst of Covid-19 and the requirement for rationalisation of polling stations to ensure that no polling stations should be over crowded.
He also laid stress on the importance of the current exercise as “there can be no poll without roll” and the need to ensure that “no voter should be left behind.”
East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner, Isawanda Laloo also spoke at the programme and underscored efforts that will be undertaken by the District Election machinery to bridge the gap in East Khasi Hills, which cumulatively accounts for the largest number of electorates spread over its 15 Assembly Constituencies.
At the function, specially created SVEEP (Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation Programme) creative and SSR videos leveraging on Meghalaya’s iconic Democracy Bus were also released by the CEO and a copy of the draft electoral rolls was also handed to all the political party representatives.BLO health kits were also distributed to some BLOs.
The function was also attended by Additional CEOs, B. M. Mawlong, A. M. Sangma and representatives of national political parties, state political parties recognized parties and BLOs.
