Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Every slip counts in polling

A man waits in line with his voting slip to cast his vote in Kairana, Uttar Pradesh, on April 19, 2024. Pic/Getty Images

The Election Commission of India has attributed low polling percentage in some metropolitan cities to "rigid levels of apathy" in urban seats. The first two phases of polling in metros was no different from the previous elections in terms of low turnouts, which actually dropped further this year.

It is said that the ECI has devised an exclusive action plan for next five phases. Being Mumbaikar, we're eager to know whether the authorities have any strategy/plan, and also want to know whether the MMR officials will practise the very basic of the traditional polling processes which actually help a lot in terms of boosting turnouts. We have seen posters and flexes, padayatras, corner meetings and a grand event at Shivaji Park to create awareness. Similar events were held before the first and second phase polling, but had no major impact.

The polling in MMR will be held on May 20, yet the voters have no idea whether they will be issued polling slips or not. Will the local election authorities do it or allow political parties to do it? Many voters who have participated in the previous polls recalled that, when delivered at doorsteps, the voting slips gave them idea of their respective polling booths, the booths' location. A Recce would reveal infrastructure available on the booths. "We would go out to vote, all prepared," said a veteran neighbour, who actually inquired on our social media messenger group to know about the slips. He hoped that the basic requirement doesn't slip the EC's mind.

Why do voters slip help? It is because the electoral rolls have never been perfect. Voters routinely complain about the missing names and wrong names in the rolls. Many reported that their names were in the rolls, but their election booths changed without any advance notice. Maharashtra's first two phases have reported such incidents.

The third phase will be held on May 7. A telling comment early this week, was by BJP's star campaigner and deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, who recalled the complaints that were reported in Vidarbha and Marathwada's first and second phase. He wondered what kind of experts were tasked with compiling the electoral rolls. "Correct electoral rolls is the need of the hour to increase the polling percentage," he said.

Dharmendra Jore is political editor, mid-day. He tweets @dharmendrajore
Send your feedback to mailbag@mid-day.com