Age defies convention in Punjab’s electoral scene. For, more than 5000 voters in Punjab are not just seasoned participants, but centenarians, with additional 205 having surpassed the age of 120 years. Among the 23 districts, Ludhiana has emerged as the epicenter of this remarkable demographic phenomenon hosting the highest number of centenarian voters, as per the latest electoral data.
As Punjab prepares for the upcoming elections, the narrative of age diversity is painting a fascinating picture of democracy in action.
Revealing the extraordinary statistics showcasing the age diversity among voters in Punjab, the state’s Chief Electoral Officer Sibin C on Thursday informed that as of March 1, 2024, Punjab has more than 5,000 voters aged 100 years and above, out of a total electorate of 2.12 crores.
Sibin C, shedding light on the age dynamics within the state's voter demographics, revealed that an astonishing 5004 voters in Punjab belong to the remarkable age bracket of 100 to 119 years, while an additional 205 voters have surpassed the age of 120 years.
In a bid to ensure inclusivity and ease of participation, the Election Commission of India has introduced special provisions, particularly catering to voters aged 85 years and above. The CEO said that they now have the privilege of casting their votes from the comfort of their homes, marking a significant stride towards enhancing their involvement in the electoral process.
“In adherence to directives from the Election Commission of India, voters aged 85 years and above have been granted the convenience of casting their votes from their homes. This measure is aimed at facilitating participation, and instructions have already been issued to all the District Election Officers cum Deputy Commissioners for this purpose,” he said.
Further dissecting the demographics, Sibin C highlighted the gender distribution among centenarian voters, revealing that out of the 5004 voters aged between 100 to 119 years, 1917 are male and 2928 are female, within the 100 to 109 years age bracket. Additionally, there are 59 male and 100 female voters aged 110 to 119 years. Regarding voters above 120 years old, there are a total of 205 individuals, comprising 122 males and 83 females.
Of particular interest is Ludhiana district’s prominence in hosting centenarian voters, with a remarkable tally of 77 men and 34 women aged above 120 years, closely followed by Ferozepur district, with 24 men and 25 women in the same age bracket.
In addition to highlighting the seasoned demographic, Sibin C also provided insights into Punjab's youthful electorate, reporting a total of 4,89,631 voters aged between 18-19, inclusive of 16 transgender voters. Of these, 2,93,100 are male and 1,96,515 are female.
With a comprehensive electorate tally of 2,12,71,246 voters, including 1,11,92,959 male and 1,00,77,543 female voters, Sibin C emphasized the significance of every vote in shaping Punjab's democratic trajectory. Urging citizens to actively participate under the ambitious slogan 'Is Vaar 70 Paar', Sibin C underscored the pivotal role of voter engagement in steering Punjab towards a brighter democratic future.
