The Deputy Commissioner (District Election Officer) Ganderbal, Shyambir today undertook an initiative to know the cause and tackle the issue of low voter turnout in the 2019 General Elections (GE) in Ganderbal.
This visit, conducted under the Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) initiative, aimed to identify the underlying factors for contributing to the low turnout in Tullamulla and Kurhama within the 18-Ganderbal Assembly Constituency.
The DC along with key stakeholders including Deputy District Election Officer Aabid Iqbal Malik, Assistant Commissioner Revenue M Altaf Bhat, and Nodal Officer SVEEP Rumysa Sangeen, engaged with residents to gain insights into challenges faced by voters and reasons for their disengagement from the electoral process in earlier elections.
Key issues such as accessibility barriers, lack of awareness about the importance of voting, and logistical constraints were identified during the interactive sessions. Emphasizing the significance of democratic participation, the DC assured the public of the unwavering commitment of the district administration to uphold the sanctity of the electoral process and foster an enabling environment for democratic participation.
He emphasized the active involvement of all eligible citizens in shaping the future through their votes. Expressing concern over the low voter turnout, the DC pledged to address the identified issues effectively. Plans for targeted awareness campaigns, enhanced accessibility measures, and community outreach programs were outlined to encourage voter engagement and participation in future elections.
During interactions with participants, the DC stressed that every vote counts, highlighting the crucial need to ensure that every eligible citizen has the opportunity to exercise their democratic right. The visit to low turnout areas underscored the necessity for concerted efforts to remove barriers and foster a culture of electoral participation. The DC extended gratitude to residents, community leaders, and election officials for their cooperation and valuable inputs during the visit.