The 96.88 crore people registered to vote for the forthcoming General Election in India.

10 Feb The 96.88 crore people registered to vote for the forthcoming General Election in India.

This article covers ‘Daily Current Affairs’ and the Topic details ‘96.88 crore people registered to vote for the forthcoming General Election in India.’ This topic is relevant to the Polity and Governance section of the UPSC CSE exam.

Why in the News? 

On Friday, the Election Commission said nearly 97 crore Indians will be eligible to vote in this year’s Lok Sabha elections. It also said over two crore young electors aged 18 to 29 years have been added to the voters’ list.

Key highlights of the report:

• Inclusive Participation: With meticulous planning and coordination, the electoral rolls now boast inclusivity on an unparalleled scale, reflecting the vibrant diversity of India’s electorate. As per the finally published electoral roll, over 96.88 crore voters are registered nationwide. 
• Gender Parity: Noteworthy in this publication is the remarkable increase in female voter registrations, exemplifying a concerted effort towards gender parity and inclusivity within the electoral framework. The Electoral Roll gender ratio has surged positively, indicating the growing role of women in shaping the democratic fabric of the nation. Over 2.63 crore new electors have been included in the electoral roll, of which around 1.41 crore are female electors, surpassing the newly enrolled male voters (~ 1.22 crore) by over 15%. Gender Ratio increases from 940 in 2023 to 948 in 2024.
• Youth Engagement: More than two crore young electors, spanning the 18-19 and 20-29 age groups, have been added to the electoral roll. Special Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs) were appointed at the constituency level to facilitate youth enrolment directly from educational institutions, fostering greater civic engagement among the younger populace.
• Rigorous scrutiny: After thorough house-to-house verification, names of 1,65,76,654 deceased, permanently shifted, and duplicate electors have been deleted from the electoral rolls. This comprehensive cleanup ensures the integrity and purity of the electoral process. It includes 67,82,642 dead voters, 75,11,128 permanently shifted/absent voters and 22,05,685 duplicate voters.
• Focus on Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups: Special endeavours have been undertaken to achieve 100% registration of PVTG, making the electoral rolls the most inclusive to date.
• Efforts have also been undertaken to assist voters with disabilities (PwD) by designating around 8.835 million PwD voters in the electoral roll database, guaranteeing accessibility and inclusiveness on election day.

The Lok Sabha elections are the largest and most crucial democratic event in the country. These elections are held to elect the new members in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Indian Parliament, and the next central government. The election result will significantly impact the political landscape and the lives of 1.4 billion people for the next five years.

The eligibility criteria for individuals to vote in general elections are as follows: 

1. Citizenship: The individual should be a citizen of India.
2. Age: The minimum age for voting is 18 years. Individuals must be at least 18 years old on the qualifying date specified by the Election Commission of India.
3. Electoral Rolls: The individual must be registered as a voter in the electoral roll of their respective constituency. This involves completing the registration process, typically including submitting an application and necessary documents such as proof of identity and residence.
4. Mental Soundness: The individual must be of sound mind, not disqualified by law, and not declared as mentally unsound by a competent court.

Once a person meets these criteria and is registered as a voter, they are eligible to vote in general elections in India. It’s important to note that the Election Commission of India periodically updates the electoral rolls, and citizens are encouraged to verify and update their details as necessary to ensure they can exercise their voting rights.

About the Election Commission of India (ECI):

The ECI is an autonomous constitutional body responsible for administering elections to the Parliament of India, State Legislative Assemblies elections and the offices of the President and Vice President in India. Established in 1950, it operates under the authority of the Constitution of India. The ECI was established under Article 324 of the Indian Constitution. The Election Commission operates and ensures its independence and authority in conducting free, fair, and transparent elections in India. The constitutional provisions of the Election Commission are discussed in below:

1. Article 324: This article deals with the power of superintendence, direction, and control of elections, which shall be vested in the Election Commission of India.
2. Article 325: This article deals with the eligibility to vote in elections in India. It guarantees that elections to the Lok Sabha and to the State Legislative Assembly of every State shall be based on adult suffrage.
3. Article 326: This article provides the concept of “universal adult suffrage” in India. It also empowers Parliament to enact laws to extend further or limit the right to vote.
4. Article 327: This article grants Parliament the power to make provisions concerning the election procedures for both Parliament and State Legislatures and, including the powers to delimit constituencies, allocate seats, and determine the manner of filling seats.
5. Article 328: This article empowers the State Legislature to make laws regarding elections to the State Legislature and the subjects to the provisions of the Constitution and any laws made by Parliament. 

Key responsibilities of the Election Commission of India include:

1. Conducting free and fair elections: The ECI ensures that elections are conducted in a free, honest, and transparent manner, without any bias or undue influence.
2. Voter registration: The commission oversees the registration of voters, updating electoral rolls, and ensuring that eligible citizens can participate in the electoral process.
3. Candidate nomination: The ECI manages the candidate nomination process, scrutiny, and withdrawal for various elections.
4. Election planning and logistics: It is responsible for planning and organising elections, including deploying polling personnel, security arrangements, and logistical support.
5. Election monitoring and enforcement: The commission monitors the conduct of elections to prevent malpractices such as electoral fraud, bribery, or intimidation. It also enforces the Model Code of Conduct, which sets guidelines for the behaviour of political parties and candidates during elections.
6. Voter education and awareness: The ECI conducts voter education programs to inform citizens about their voting rights and responsibilities and to promote voter turnout. 
7. Implementing the Model Code of Conduct: The commission enforces the Model Code of Conduct, which sets guidelines for political parties and candidates regarding campaigning activities to ensure a level playing field during elections.

Here are some suggestions to enhance people’s participation and integrity in the election process in India: 

•  Conduct Voter Registration Drives: Conduct voter registration drives to ensure eligible citizens are registered to vote. Utilize community outreach programs, social media campaigns, and collaboration with local organizations to reach underserved populations and encourage registration.
• Engagement of Civil Society Organizations: Partner with civil society organisations, NGOs and community groups to mobilize citizens, conduct voter education activities, and promote voter turnout. Leverage their grassroots networks and expertise to enhance outreach efforts. 
• Public Awareness: Launch campaigns to raise awareness about the electoral process, key election dates, and voting procedures. To reach a wide audience, utilize diverse communication channels such as radio, television, social media, and community events.
• Accessibility and Inclusivity: Ensure the electoral process is accessible and inclusive for all citizens, including persons with disabilities, elderly voters, and marginalized communities. Provide accommodations such as accessible polling stations, voter assistance services, and information in multiple languages. 
• Transparent Electoral Roll Management: Ensure accurate and up-to-date voter lists to prevent disenfranchisement and reduce the risk of electoral fraud. Utilize technology such as biometric authentication and regular audits to maintain the integrity of voter rolls. 
• Strict Enforcement of Electoral Laws: Strengthen enforcement mechanisms to deter electoral malpractices such as vote-buying, booth capturing, and intimidation. Implement stringent penalties for electoral law violations to uphold the electoral process’s sanctity. 
• Independent Election Commission: Uphold the independence of the Election Commission of India (ECI) by providing it with adequate resources, autonomy, and authority to conduct elections impartially and efficiently. 
• Monitoring and Observation: Deploy independent observers, both domestic and international, to monitor the electoral process and report any irregularities or violations. Facilitate transparency and accountability through comprehensive monitoring mechanisms. 
• Use of Technology: Leverage technology for voter registration, electronic voting, and result tabulation to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and transparency in the electoral process. Implement robust cybersecurity measures to safeguard against digital threats. 

Q. Choose the INCORRECT statements about the Election Commission of India:

A. It is a statutory body.
B. The commission consists of one Chief Election Commissioner and two Election Commissioners.
C. Article 324 states that superintendence, direction and control of elections are to be vested in an Election Commission.
D. The President appoints Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners.

Answer: A

Q. Discuss challenges faced by the Election Commission of India in conducting elections and how to overcome them. Critically examines.

amit pradhan

I am a content developer for the UPSC Exam, and State PCS Exam as well as other competitive exams. Currently working as a content writer in Plutus IAS.  I have been preparing for the UPSC CSE for 6 years.