Bhubaneswar: In order to facilitate participation of young voters in electoral process, the Odisha government has directed the universities and colleges to launch a drive for their enrolment.
In a letter to the Registrars of universities and principals of government, non-government aided and private colleges on Monday, the Higher Education department has instructed to start the special drive to enrol the students taking fresh admission in their institutions in the voters’ list.
Earlier, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of the state had written to the department to take steps for participation of young voters in the electoral process. “The enrolment of young voters in Odisha is not upto the mark compared to other segments of voters. Enrolment of young voters is not only important for an inclusive election process but also sensitising them regarding their right to vote and take part in the process of nation building,” the CEO said in the letter.
Informing about new dates for voter registration, the CEO said according to the latest amendment in the RP Act, 1950, the voter registration is done on four qualifying dates of January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1. Earlier, the voters who turned 18 years from January 1 were enrolled.
The CEO requested the department to instruct the higher educational institutions for taking steps for enrolment of eligible voters after the admission process. The students can also apply for enrolment through Voter Helpline App (VHA) and participate in the activities of the Electoral Literacy Clubs (ELCs) in the colleges.
