Pune District Administration Strives to Boost Voter Turnout

The Pune district administration has intensified its efforts to increase voter turnout in the upcoming elections, focusing on 13 of the 21 assembly constituencies, particularly those with low participation rates in the previous 2019 Lok Sabha elections. During these elections, Pune recorded a voter turnout of just 49.84%. Constituencies such as Shivajinagar, Kothrud, Vadgaon Sheri, Pune Cantonment, Parvati, and Kasba witnessed even lower turnout, ranging between 46% and 55%.

To address this, the Pune district election office has issued directives to specifically target these constituencies for improved voter engagement. The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Pune Metro have joined hands in this civic initiative.

A key strategy has been the registration of new voters, especially students, with the aid of NGOs that have visited colleges to encourage this demographic. This focus has brought a significant increase in the number of voters, particularly among young people aged 20 to 29. Additionally, a concerted effort is being made to mobilize women voters in slum areas through collaborations with self-help groups.

Other targeted initiatives include counselling for workers in industrial areas, door-to-door engagement, and motivational efforts by supervisors at various work sites like fields, brick kilns, and Anganwadi centres. Villages have hosted awareness campaigns using banners, posters, and rallies, and some government programs have incorporated pledges to encourage voting.

Currently, a local campaign titled “Tai, akka, vahini, mavshi go to vote,” aims to encourage family-oriented voter participation.

Pune Metro has also launched an awareness campaign at metro stations, where more than 70,000 daily passengers can see posters reminding them to vote.

On the administrative front, PMC Commissioner Rajendra Bhosale has taken proactive steps by ordering all officials to complete voter awareness forms, attach photos, and communicate directly with the Pune district election officer, enhancing the overall voter awareness efforts.

These multifaceted efforts aim to significantly increase voter turnout in the Pune district by addressing apathy and encouraging greater civic participation across all demographics.