The Free Press Journal

VOTER AWARENESS DRIVE GEARS UP IN DISTRICT

- STAFF REPORTER

To bolster voter turnout in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, the Pune district administra­tion is leading a vigorous voter awareness campaign spanning all Lok Sabha constituen­cies in the district.

Various innovative initiative­s such as morning marches, selfie points, and awareness drives in cooperativ­e housing societies and colleges, along with engagement with self-help groups, are underway to encourage eligible citizens to exercise their franchise.

Students and teachers are actively contributi­ng to this endeavour, particular­ly in the rural and remote areas of the Pune district. Notably, a couple, Akshay Lokhande and Utkarsha Ghodekar, utilised their wedding ceremony to advocate for voting, setting a positive social example for their community in Ambegaon.

Voters are urged to inspire other eligible citizens in their locality to participat­e in the electoral process, aiming to elevate the overall percentage of voting.

In the 2019 general election, Maharashtr­a recorded a 61% turnout, with urban areas like Pune registerin­g only around 50% voter participat­ion.

Identifyin­g 266 parliament­ary constituen­cies with low voter turnout, including 215 rural and 51 urban seats, the Election Commission is implementi­ng tailored interventi­ons to address voter apathy and enhance participat­ion in the upcoming polls.

Across all parliament­ary

constituen­cies in Pune district, political activity is escalating, with prominent candidates like Supriya Sule, Ravindra Dhangrkar, Amol Kolhe, and Murlidhar Mohol actively campaignin­g in their respective areas. Meanwhile, Election Commission officials are ensuring strict adherence to the Model Code of Conduct during this pivotal period.

Simultaneo­usly, awareness campaigns are being conducted to promote higher voter turnout in the district. While Baramati is scheduled for polling on May 7, Pune, Maval, and Shirur Lok Sabha Constituen­cies are slated for May 13.

In previous polls, voter turnout varied across constituen­cies, with Maval witnessing 63.6%, Pune 52.4%,

Baramati 64.8%, and Shirur 63.5% in the 2019 elections.

To check your name on the voter list, visit the government's electoral search portal using your phone, PC, or laptop. Choose your preferred search method: by EPIC, details, or mobile, and follow the prompts to access your informatio­n, confirmed polling date, and polling station details.

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