The Election Commission of India (ECI), it appears, doesn't want even a single eligible young voter to be left without a voter identity card. So when it came to the commission's notice that as per collected data in Chandigarh, out of the 1,847 forms received from young people in the age group 18-19 years during 2017 so far only 1,623 could be enrolled, it directed the Election Department Chandigarh to launch a special drive to enroll left out electors, focusing on first time electors (young Indian citizens in the age group of 18-21 years).
Additional Chief Electoral Officer and Returning Officer for UT Chandigarh Ajit Balaji Joshi told media persons here on Thursday that on the directions of ECI the special drive to educate and enroll first time electors will be undertaken in Chandigarh throughout July this year. Besides a door to door campaign to enroll residents who are above 18 years as on January 1, 2017, the BLOs will sit at their designated location of polling stations on two Sundays (9th July and 23rd July) to receive claims and objections from the public.
Photo By: Life in Chandigarh
The main focus during the campaign will be on enrollment of young electors in the age group 18 to 21 years extending up to 30 years. All admission centres will also be targeted during the drive, Joshi added.
He appealed to political parties and residents of Chandigarh to extend their whole-hearted co-operation in the special drive.
All relevant forms are available on the website of the election department www.ceochandigarh.nic.in and people can also call helpline No. 1950 for more information.
