Over 1.17 lakh applications in Pune district voter list drive, 83,000 from new voters

A special intensive revision campaign is under way to update the electoral roll ahead of the coming elections. The campaign appears to be getting a good response from Pune district. Verification and updating of entries in the electoral roll are under way on the instructions of the central commission.

The decision to drop the additional details in Form 6 was taken at the central level, which has made it easier for first-time voters to enrol. Applications are also coming in from those changing their address and from voters who have moved to Pune from elsewhere. On the directions of the Election Commission of India, the state's Chief Electoral Officer also revised the proof documents required, so voters can now register their names with less hassle.

So far, 1,17,818 applications have been filed in the district's 21 Assembly constituencies. Of these, 83,514 applications for registration of new voters make up the largest share. A total of 32,880 applications have come in for correcting details in the electoral roll, while 1,424 applications have been received for deletion of names. Deputy District Election Officer Minal Kalaskar gave this information.

The highest numbers of applications have come from Hadapsar with 10,506 and Shirur with 10,381. These are followed by Wagholi-Sheri with 9,073, Bhor with 9,396, Chinchwad with 8,434 and Khed-Alandi with 8,113. The figures show that citizens in these constituencies responded relatively more.

In the city's Shivajinagar constituency, however, only 3,441 applications have come in. With a large number of educational institutions, students and young voters, more applications for new registration had been expected here. In practice, the number is comparatively low. Kasba Peth has recorded 3,640, Kothrud 4,762, Parvati 3,006, Pune Cantonment 3,929 and Baramati 3,800. With applications low in the important constituencies of Shivajinagar and Kasba Peth, the figures are being discussed.

The electoral roll holds an important place in election politics. Political parties are therefore watching the registration of new voters and the correction of existing voters' details. The number of first-time voters and accurate entries in the roll could be significant for the elections. However, the number of applications does not mean the actual number of voters has risen. That will become clear only after scrutiny.