Himachal Pradesh’s Election Department has embarked on a “mission” to increase voter turnout in 22 assembly constituencies of the state that recorded less than 70 per cent participation in the previous general elections.

Dubbed as ‘22 Going to 72’, the campaign aimed at elevating the voting percentage from the previous 72.42 per cent in 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The state’s Chief Electoral Officer Maneesh Garg revealed the initiative, which included engaging constituency-wise icons, distributing invitation cards made by children, activating Booth Awareness groups, and conducting Electoral Literacy Clubs campaigns.

Furthermore, Voters Awareness Forums will be established in government offices and industrial organizations, with nodal officers appointed to encourage participation among employees.

With cultural activities and wall signature campaigns planned, the Election Department is fervently working to ensure a robust electoral turnout for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections scheduled on June 1.

“Under the initiative of various apolitical persons to exercise their franchise, the constituency-wise icons will be roped in and the invitation cards made by the children will be distributed to the probable voters,” said Garg.

“Apart from this, Booth Awareness groups would be activated to motivate the electors to come out and participate in the largest ‘Utsav of Democracy’…Electoral Literacy Clubs (ELCs) will also be conducting electoral literacy campaigns so as to motivate the general public to come out in big numbers to vote,” he added.

The CEO said that Voters Awareness Forums (VAFs) will be established in all government offices and industrial organisations. “The employees, who are actually the electors, will also be asked why they didn't vote despite being given a paid holiday in the previous general elections…Nodal officers will also be appointed in all such establishments to inform and motivate the employees to participate in the electoral process,” he added.

Notably, these Nodal Officers will confirm as to how many of the employees have actually voted by the ink mark despite being given a paid holiday for the specific purpose, said Garg.

The Lok Sabha election in Himachal is scheduled to take place on June 1 in a single phase, covering all four Lok Sabha constituencies. In addition, bypoll will also be held in six assembly segments.

In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections in Himachal Pradesh, BJP emerged victorious, winning all four seats, with the Congress failing to secure any seats. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP retained its dominance winning all four seats again, maintaining its strong presence in the state, with Congress facing resounding defeat.