ECI to launch major voter drive in UP on Nov 12, focus on women and first-time voters

The Election Commission of India (ECI) will launch a special voter enrolment drive in Uttar Pradesh from November 12, targeting eligible citizens, particularly women and young people, whose names are missing from the electoral rolls. The exercise will be part of the Special Summary Revision (SSR) of electoral rolls for 2027, with January 1, 2027 set as the qualifying date for registration, reported the Hindustan Times. District election officers (DEOs) have been directed to coordinate with various government departments and institutions to identify eligible residents who are yet to register as voters, Uttar Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer Navdeep Rinwa said on Wednesday.

"All efforts will be made for registration of the eligible citizens in the voter list in Uttar Pradesh," Rinwa said, adding that the Election Commission had issued guidelines to district election officers to facilitate the exercise, as per the Hindustan Times report. As part of the campaign, electoral rolls of assembly constituencies will be matched with those maintained by panchayats and urban local bodies to identify eligible citizens who are yet to register in the assembly voter lists. The Food and Civil Supplies Department will also assist in identifying unregistered voters through beneficiary lists maintained at fair price shops.

Residents aged 18 and above whose names do not appear on the electoral rolls will be encouraged to apply for inclusion through Form 6. The election department will also rope in educational institutions to identify eligible young voters, particularly those in the 18-19 age group. Electoral Literacy Clubs (ELCs) set up in schools and colleges will be activated to spread awareness about voting rights, ethical voting and participation in the democratic process. Assistant electoral registration officers (AEROs) will coordinate with designated ELC representatives to facilitate the registration of eligible students.

The department will also seek assistance from organisations working with young people, including the National Service Scheme (NSS), National Cadet Corps (NCC), Nehru Yuva Kendra, Yuvak Mangal Dal and Bharat Scouts and Guides. The campaign will also focus on increasing women's participation in the electoral process. Rinwa said the proportion of female voters in the existing electoral rolls was lower than that of male voters, prompting the department to direct district officials to undertake targeted enrolment efforts. "The number of female voters in the current voter list is unusually low compared to male voters," he said.

To address the gap, the election department will coordinate with the Women and Child Development, Health and Rural Livelihoods departments, besides seeking assistance from ASHA workers, auxiliary nurse midwives (ANMs), anganwadi workers and women's self-help groups. ASHA workers, ANMs and anganwadi workers will identify eligible women missing from the electoral rolls during their household visits and facilitate their registration. Representatives of women's self-help groups, known as Samuh Sakhis, will also help identify eligible women in rural areas and encourage them to enrol. Rinwa said the cooperation of various government departments would be sought to ensure that eligible citizens, particularly women and young people, are included in the electoral rolls.   (With inputs from PTI)