With the electoral buzz buzzing louder by the day in Punjab, slated to resonate across the State's 13 constituencies come June 1, the office of Punjab Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) is on a mission. Led by the state’s CEO Sibin C, the state’s poll panel is rolling out a series of initiatives to fire up voter participation. Their focus? Energizing those areas where voter turnout dipped below national and state averages during the previous polls, especially 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
As the state poll panel is leaving no stone unturned to enhance voter participation, Punjab CEO on Tuesday outlined the Commission's initiatives aimed at increasing the voter turnout, particularly in approximately 12,000 polling stations — almost half of the total 24,433 polling stations set up across the state as of now — spreading across nearly 12 districts where participation fell below national and state averages during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
The primary objective of the state’s election commission is to achieve a voter turnout exceeding 70 per cent epitomized by the slogan ‘Is Vaar, 70 Paar’ (This Time, Crossing 70). As on March 1, Punjab had 2,12,71,246 (2.12 crore) voters, he said.
Sibin C, during a media interaction, highlighted the prevalent trend of lower voter turnout in Lok Sabha elections compared to assembly polls. In 2019, Punjab recorded a voting percentage of 65.96 per cent during the parliamentary polls, slightly below the national average of 67.11 per cent, while 2022 state assembly polls saw a higher turnout of 71.95 per cent.
To address the challenges of low voter participation, especially in districts below the state average, the Election Commission has taken proactive measures. Renowned cricketer Shubman Gill and popular singer Tarsem Jassar have been designated as ‘state icons’ to promote voter awareness and increase turnout.
“They will be engaged in various campaigns aimed at voter awareness to ensure a voting…In areas where the voting percentage was low during the previous elections, awareness campaigns and appeals made by them would be circulated to motivate the voters and help increase the turnout,” another poll panel official told The Pioneer.
Furthermore, the District Election Officers-cum-Deputy Commissioners have been instructed to ensure “assured minimum facilities”, such as drinking water, toilets, signage, ramps or wheelchair access, helpdesks, voter facilitation centers, and adequate lighting and shelter, at polling stations. Special focus is given to ensuring accessibility for elderly voters, persons with disabilities (PwDs), and first-time voters. The state has 1.55 lakhs PwD voters.
For elderly and PwD voters, home voting facilities including postal ballots (Form 12D) have been made available, with voting teams visiting their residences to facilitate the process. All-women ‘pink’ polling stations and model polling stations with enhanced amenities are also being set up to ensure a smooth voting experience.
Addressing media, Sibin C emphasized the strict enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) to ensure that elections are conducted in a transparent and fair manner.
To counter the misuse of muscle and money power, Sibin C disclosed the deployment of 25 companies of paramilitary forces, with additional deployments planned based on threat assessments. He highlighted the effectiveness of the seizure management system, resulting in seizures worth 113.45 crores since March 1, 2024.
Moreover, he informed that 119 complaints received via C-Vigil have been addressed, with 86 found valid. The implementation of CCTV cameras at inter-state and inter-district checkpoints, alongside the deployment of flying squads, aims to enhance surveillance and deter malpractices.
The official also announced that 2,416 of the state's 24,433 polling stations have been identified as “critical”, warranting additional security measures. The maximum number of "critical" polling stations are in Amritsar with 578, followed by 276 in Hoshiarpur, and 237 in Gurdaspur. The installation of CCTV cameras and centralized monitoring across all polling stations further strengthens the electoral process.
Regarding voter registration, Punjab currently boasts 2,12,71,246 voters. Efforts to purify the electoral rolls by removing duplications through the Special Summary Revision have been undertaken, with regular consultations held with political parties to address objections and ensure accuracy.
He reported significant progress in the removal of election-related paraphernalia across the state, with 24,433 wall writings, 15,653 posters, 7,511 banners, and 23,916 defacements on property removed from March 16 to 18.
He said there are around four lakh arms licences in the state and directions have been issued to deposit the arms ahead of the polls.
Efforts have been made to purify the electoral rolls by deleting similar demographic and photographic entries during the special summary revision to prevent duplications.
Regular meetings have been held with political parties at every stage of the electoral rolls update, providing them with opportunities to raise objections, Sibin said.
The official said 24,433 wall writings, 15,653 posters, 7,511 banners and 23,916 defacements of property were removed across the state from March 16 to 18
Focus On First-Time Voters
To engage and encourage first-time voters aged 18-19, efforts have been intensified to increase their numbers. The percentage of first-time voters has doubled from 2.5 lakhs in the 2022 polls to approximately five lakhs for the upcoming elections. The local district election officers are actively involved in wooing these young voters and providing necessary assistance and facilities to them.
With comprehensive measures in place, including provisions for special needs and outreach programs targeting first-time voters, the Punjab Election Commission aims to achieve a significant increase in voter turnout and ensure inclusive and democratic elections across the state.
Polls in Peak Summers, Chabeel for Voters
Amidst the scorching heat of peak summers, voters in Punjab are set to experience a refreshing twist during the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. In a unique initiative aimed at boosting voter turnout, the state’s poll panel has decided to serve Chabeel, a traditional sweetened water, at polling stations across the State. “As elections in Punjab will be held in peak summers, we will make arrangements for chhabee…there will be shades…there will be many other facilities for voters so that our voting percentage increases,” said Sibin C.
