In a groundbreaking effort to galvanize the electorate, the Chief Election Commissioner of India (ECI) has laid out an ambitious plan to increase voter turnout for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh.
Uttar Pradesh’s complex social fabric and pivotal role in Indian politics necessitate a deep dive into its electoral dynamics. Voter turnout trends reveal fluctuating engagement levels, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to encourage democratic participation.
As the ECI unfolds its blueprint to enhance voter turnout in Uttar Pradesh, the soul of India’s democratic fabric, a blend of hope and urgency permeates the air. The heartbeats of millions of migrant workers, the unsung heroes of India’s economy, are at the center of this ambitious endeavor. The EC seeks to amplify their voices in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, often drowned out by the cacophony of their daily struggles.
The ECI’s initiative to increase voter turnout, particularly among migrant workers, is not just a campaign; it’s a clarion call for change, a beacon of hope for millions whose votes have remained uncast and whose voices have gone unheard.
Imagine, for a moment, the life of a migrant worker in Uttar Pradesh. Picture the early morning departures, the long hours, and the endless toil in faraway lands, all for the promise of a better tomorrow. Yet, come election time, these dreams are overshadowed by the harsh reality of their circumstances—away from home, unable to vote, their democratic rights hanging by a thread. Though a simple gesture, the postcards from the Election Commission carry a powerful message: “Your vote matters. You matter.”
“We are determined to understand why these areas have seen lower voter engagement. District collectors will personally visit these communities, appealing to their sense of civic duty, urging and imploring residents to partake in the democratic process”
Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar
But the path to empowering every voter in Uttar Pradesh is strewn with obstacles. The logistics of reaching out to a constantly on-the-move population, the challenge of ensuring that every migrant worker could vote, and the sheer scale of the endeavor are daunting. Yet, amidst these challenges, there’s an undeniable spark of optimism. For every worker who receives a postcard, for every name added to the voting list, we inch closer to a democracy that truly represents all its people.
To combat the longstanding issue of low voter participation in Uttar Pradesh, the heart of India’s democracy with the largest electorate, the ECI is launching an ambitious initiative to boost turnout in 10 critical 2024 Lok Sabha seats. Despite Uttar Pradesh’s significant voting power, it has consistently seen disappointing voter turnouts, a concern that Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar highlighted during a recent review of the state’s election readiness.
The emotional tales of these workers, who traverse vast distances in search of livelihood only to be sidelined during pivotal moments of national decision-making, strike a chord. They tell a narrative of missed opportunities, voices waiting to be heard, and votes longing to be counted. While a beacon of hope, the EC’s Turnout Implementation Plan (TIP) also mirrors the deep-seated challenges in mobilizing a demographic perpetually on the move.
As we delve deeper into the stories of districts like Gonda, Sitapur, and Lakhimpur Kheri, the emotional weight of the situation becomes palpable. Migrant workers, with dreams and aspirations for their families and their country, find themselves caught in a relentless cycle. Their arduous journeys to cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Lucknow in search of better opportunities underscore a harsh reality—their economic survival often comes at the cost of their electoral participation.
However, the challenge is steep, and the clock is ticking. With the general elections on the horizon, scheduled in a sprawling seven-phase process between April and June 2024, there’s a pressing need to galvanize the electorate. Uttar Pradesh’s migrant workers, a vital but often overlooked demographic, are predominantly in the spotlight. Historically, these workers have been absent from the polls due to the demands of their jobs nationwide, leaving a noticeable void in voter participation.
The Election Commission has unfurled a heartfelt initiative to inspire the voters of Uttar Pradesh, where a mere 59.11 percent turnout was recorded in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, to step forward and embrace their democratic duty in the forthcoming general elections. “Our efforts are meticulous and focused, aiming to enroll more citizens and encourage them to cast their votes. We call this initiative’ roll to the poll,’” a spokesperson shared with conviction.
A Turnout Implementation Plan (TIP) has been meticulously crafted, pinpointing constituencies and booths where voter participation has languished. “We are determined to understand why these areas have seen lower voter engagement. District collectors will personally visit these communities, appealing to their sense of civic duty, urging and imploring residents to partake in the democratic process,” explained Kumar.
Nationally, the last Lok Sabha elections saw a robust 67 percent voter turnout, according to the Election Commission. To bolster this spirit in Uttar Pradesh, Kumar inaugurated three voter awareness express vans on March 3. These vans, beacons of democratic encouragement, will traverse 22 districts that witnessed low turnout in the 2019 elections. Their journey will touch Kanpur, Prayagraj, Bhadohi, Shravasti, Balrampur, Gonda, Siddharthnagar, Pratapgarh, Amethi, Rae Bareli, Ambedkar Nagar, Sant Kabir Nagar, Ghazipur, Ballia, Bahraich, Lucknow, Kaushambi, Azamgarh, Deoria, Jaunpur, Varanasi, and Gorakhpur.
According to the Election Commission’s data, as of January 23, Uttar Pradesh has approximately 15.29 crore voters. This vibrant electorate comprises 8.14 crore male voters, 7.15 crore female voters, and 7,705 transgender voters. Among them, the fresh, youthful voices of 20.41 lakh first-time voters aged 18-19 are ready to echo through the polls. The state boasts 1,62,012 polling stations, with 38,959 located in urban landscapes and 1,23,053 scattered across rural expanses.
In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the political tapestry of Uttar Pradesh saw the BJP and its ally Apna Dal (Sonelal) capturing 64 seats, while the Congress secured one, the Bahujan Samaj Party claimed ten, and the Samajwadi Party garnered five.
The Election Commission’s initiatives, marked by empathy and resolute dedication, aim to weave a more decadent democratic fabric, one where every voice is heard, and every vote cast is a step towards a more inclusive, participatory future.
During 2019, about 13 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh witnessed a voter turnout below 55 percent. These include Bhadohi (53.45 percent), Lucknow (54.78 percent), Kanpur (51.39 percent), Amethi (54.05 percent), Sant Kabir Nagar (54.15 percent), Phulpur (48.57 percent), Shravasti (52.02 percent), Allahabad (51.75 percent), Dumariaganj (52.26 percent), Gonda (52.11 percent), Pratapgarh (53.36 percent), Kaushambi (54.56 percent) and Ballia (54.35).
Concurrently, specific Lok Sabha seats witnessed below 60 percent voting. It included Deoria (57.9 percent), Varanasi (57.13 percent), Akbarpur (58.13 percent), Jalaun (58.49 percent), Etawah (58.52 percent), Hardoi (58.54 percent), Ghazipur (58.88 percent), Unnao (56.47 percent), Jaunpur (55.77 percent), Robertsganj (57.37 percent), Bahraich (57.24 percent), Sultanpur (56.37 percent), Rae Bareli (56.34 percent), Fatehpur (56.79 percent), Shahjahanpur (56.15 percent), and Basti (57.19 percent), Azamgarh (57.56 percent), Gorakhpur (59.81 percent) and Faizabad (59.69 percent).
Data accumulated during the COVID-19-induced lockdown indicated that 4 million people returned to Uttar Pradesh. The highest number of migrant workers belonged to Purvanchal and Terai districts. During the earlier Lok Sabha elections, most of Western Uttar Pradesh witnessed high voter turnout, including Ghaziabad (55 percent). However, districts in the Purvanchal and Terai zones saw lower electoral turnout. Hence, there’s a focus on increasing voter participation in these areas.
The EC’s TIP aims to change this narrative by identifying 22 districts for targeted voter engagement efforts. Yet, as we delve into the plan’s intricacies, a question looms: Is it too late to make a difference?
The stark reality of previous Lok Sabha elections paints a grim picture of voter apathy, with turnout in specific constituencies like Phulpur and Kanpur dipping below 55 percent. This disengagement is particularly pronounced among the state’s migrant worker population, who find themselves caught in the relentless cycle of work and migration from March to June each year.
In 2019, despite the efforts, turnout was less than 60 percent in several districts, underscoring the challenge of mobilizing a physically absent demographic due to economic necessity. The heartbreaking stories of migrant workers, such as those in the Gonda district, highlight a systemic issue—the inability to vote due to work commitments and the harsh realities of their livelihoods.
As Uttar Pradesh braced for the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the exodus of migrant workers back to their homes offered a stark reminder of their numbers and the potential impact they could have on the electoral process. With millions returning, the question of how to ensure their participation in the democratic process became even more pressing.
Meanwhile, the EC’s strategy, notably its plan to engage migrant workers through postcards, is a heartfelt attempt to bridge this gap. It aims to reach out and remind these workers that they are an indispensable part of India’s democracy and that their vote matters.
