Final voters lists for Maharashtra assembly elections released on July 31

The final voters list for the Maharashtra assembly elections will be released on July 31, said V S Sampath, chief election commissioner. Citizens can, however, continue to enroll up to ten days before the last day for filing of nominations for the assembly elections.

 Sampath along with his deputies and other senior officials was on a two-day visit to the city to review preparations for the state assembly elections that are likely to be held mid-October. Sampath said festivals, examinations and monsoon were cited as difficulties for campaigning by political parties, many of whom asked for a postponement of the elections. Also Read-- Assembly Poll 2014: ECI send letters to 26 lakh 'deleted’ voters in Maharashtra before polls

Addressing a press conference on Tuesday Sampath said in the summary revision of voters list held in the last one month 19 lakh voters across Maharashtra have been added to the list. The state has 8.06 crore voters on the electoral rolls. Sampath said it was a matter of concern that only 30% of the youth in the 18-19 year age group were enrolled. The gender disparity in Maharashtra was at 5% much higher than that of the all India figure of 2%. Also Read-- Assembly Elections 2014 : Shiv Sena-BJP in battle over one-upmanship

"This time the voter i-d slips in urban areas will be distributed much in advance than the stipulated time-period of five days before the election," said Sampath adding that during the Lok Sabha elections only 30-40% of the slips were actually delivered.Sampath said arrangements are being made to ensure that officials on polling duty can vote through the postal ballot.

Similarly for defence personnel, local enrollment will be allowed for which the Election Commission will co-ordinated with the Cantonment Board authorities. The Commission will continue to create awareness for Ethical and Informed voting. It also wants to further increase the voting in Mumbai which during the Lok Sabha elections had touched 54% as against 39% in the last Lok Sabha elections.

source:timesofindia