Prompt action of Election Commission pays off: Huge spike in first-time voters; action following Kerala Kaumudi report

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As of January this year, there were 2,88,533 new entrants in the voter list, which increased to 5,34,394 in the following three months. On January 30, 'Kerala Kaumudi' had reported that 70 percent of the new generation had not added their names to the voter list. With this, the Election Commission conducted awareness programs involving celebrities and youth organizations and urged the youngsters to add their names to the voter list. An additional 2,45,861 people could be added.

The target was to add 50 percent of the existing maiden voters but more than 85 percent could be added. Kottayam and Wayanad districts registered more than double the number of voters. The action plan was formulated by the Chief Electoral Officer Sanjay M Kaul in discussion with the district officers. The final list was prepared by eliminating double votes and mistakes. There are more male voters.

Tovino and Nanjiyamma to increase voters

• Nodal Officers were appointed in all the districts.
• Film star Tovino Thomas and singer Nanjiyamma came to the scene for awareness programs.
• First time voters were identified through Electoral Literal Clubs of Higher Secondary Schools and Colleges.
• Election Commission's voting van arrived in every taluk and taught people how to vote.
• Street plays and flashmobs were organized

(In the order of District, Male, Female, Transgender, Total Maiden Voter. Figures as on January 31 in brackets)

Thiruvananthapuram

21713 (11348)

21651(11765)

01(01)

43365 (23114)

Kollam

16382 (8164)

16539 (8832)

00 (00)

39921(16996)

Pathanamthitta

6509 (3885)

6168 (3784)

00 (00)

12677 (7669)

Alappuzha

14248 (7332)

13869 (7437)

00 (01)

28117(14770)

Kottayam

10525(5080)

10310 (5292)

01(00)

20836 (10372)

Idukki

6424 (3906)

6197(3872)

00 (00)

12621(7778)

Ernakulam

19930 (9972)

19105 (9950)

02(01)

38637(19923)

Thrissur

29786 (17883)

28353 (17664)

02 (04)

58141(35551)

Palakkad

23558(13508)

22125(12682)

04(02)

45687(26192)

Malappuram

45966(20195)

36316(15775)

04(02)

82286 (35972)

Kozhikode

37491(22059)

34352(20076)

04(02)

71847(42139)

Wayanad

4518(1855)

4060(1777)

00(00)

8878(3632)

Kannur

28338(16631)

27826(15632)

02(02)

55166(32265)

Kasaragod

12096(6368)

11117(6189)

02(03)

23215(12560)

Total

2,77,084 (147970)

2,57,288 (140542)

22(21)

5,34,394 (2,88,533)

Voters of all age groups: 2,77,49,159

Voters below 39 years from the total number of voters: 1,04,34,536