GS Paper II
News Excerpt:
Election Commission data released ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls shows Low registration of first-time voters and their low participation in the early phases of election is concerning.
- There needs to be honest introspection on what is holding Gen Z back from participating in the electoral process.
Who are eligible to vote:
- The 61st Amendment to the Constitution (1989) brought down the voting age from 21 to 18.
- It signalled India’s trust in the maturity of its youth and keenness to empower them in decision-making.
- It was as revolutionary a step as entrusting ordinary Indians with the franchise in 1950.
Number of first time voters:
- First-time voters — the 18-19 age group — currently estimated at 19 million, are those who are on the electoral rolls by just becoming eligible.
- Youths in the 18-29 age group number over 200 million —more than a fifth of the total electorate — and certainly can influence the contours of the 18th Lok Sabha.
- Only 38% of eligible first-time voters, which is 19 million out of 49 million, have registered to vote in the 2024 national elections.
- Merely 17% of the youth population of Bihar, the state with the highest concentration of youth, is registered to vote, with the percentage in Delhi being only 21%.
- ECI has launched the Systematic Voters Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) drive pushing hard all three parts of it: information, motivation, and facilitation.
- SVEEP is a voter awareness and outreach drive of ECI.
- It also sends a voting day alert to all Facebook users pan India to inform and aware the voters about the General Elections and also to nudge them to participate in the festival of democracy.
Election Commission efforts to increase youth electoral participation:
- The ECI has initiated a series of youth-centric campaigns to address low youth participation in elections.
- An amendment of the Representation of the People Act, 1950 in 2022 gave three additional dates — April 1, July 1, and October 1— to register on the electoral roll instead of only January 1 earlier.
- This has reduced waiting time for young voters.
- The ECI has also undertaken a big reform by allowing 17-year-olds to file advance applications for registration.
- Cinema theatres across the country are playing ECI voter awareness films and ECI Song Main Bharat Hoon, Hum Bharat Ke Matdata Hai on regular intervals, as a part of Public Service awareness (PSA) film.
- Music App Spotify, and bike app Rapido have been onboarded for voter awareness messages across their platforms and channels.
‘Turning 18’ Campaign:
- ECI campaign ‘Turning 18,’ specifically targets young and first-time voters.
- The primary objective is to galvanise youngsters to participate in the upcoming elections and address the critical issues of urban and youth apathy noticed in previous elections.
‘You are the One’ Campaign:
- Building on the ‘Turning 18’ campaign, ECI launched another impactful campaign titled ‘You Are The One.’
- This initiative aims to recognize and celebrate the invaluable contributions of various stakeholders involved in the electoral process.
- From voters and political parties to Booth Level Officers (BLOs), ground staff, polling parties, administrative personnel, media professionals, central forces, and security personnel, each stakeholder plays a vital role in ensuring the integrity and efficiency of the electoral process.
‘VerifyBeforeYouAmplify’ initiative:
- In response to the proliferation of fake news and misinformation online, the ECI introduced the ‘Verify Before You Amplify’ initiative (पोस्ट से पहले पुष्टि).
Several factors contribute to Indian first-time voters not exercising their right to vote:
- Lack of civic education:
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- In dissecting the reasons behind low voter turnout and youth disengagement, it becomes apparent that our democracy grapples with a lack of civic education among the youth.
- Lack of Awareness:
- Many first-time voters may not fully understand the importance of voting or may not be aware of the electoral process, voter registration procedures, or the significance of their participation in shaping the country's future.
- Cynicism and Disillusionment:
- Some young voters may feel disillusioned with the political system due to corruption, inefficiency, or lack of accountability among politicians. ‘
- They may perceive their vote as insignificant or believe that politicians do not represent their interests.
- Perceived Irrelevance of Elections:
- Some first-time voters are feeling disconnected from the political process, especially when they believe that their vote will not make a difference or that elected representatives will not address the issues that matter to them.
- Logistics:
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- A migrant from the north of the country working in a spice factory down south has to undertake a journey of anything between 24 to 72 hours to cast his vote.
- Many young voters are migrant students and workers. Not all of them have the means to go back to their constituency and cast their vote. There is no arrangement for them to vote remotely.
- Lack of young leaders:
- The apathy among youth towards the electoral process could come from a feeling that the leadership of major parties is made up of seniors and that there are not enough young leaders or candidates to whom young people can relate.
- In dissecting the reasons behind low voter turnout and youth disengagement, it becomes apparent that our democracy grapples with a lack of civic education and logistical hurdles.
Issues concerning youth of the country:
- Among the issues raised in this election are the core ones of unemployment, poverty, corruption and social security.
- These are issues that affect the youth at every level.
How can we increase youth participation in democratic process?
- Civic Education:
- Comprehensive civic education programs in schools and colleges to educate young people about the importance of voting, democracy, and their role in shaping the future of the country should be launched.
- Awareness Campaigns:
- ECI and the government need to launch targeted awareness campaigns using social media to inform young voters about the electoral process, voter registration, and voting rights.
- Celebrity Endorsements and Influencer Outreach:
- Collaborate with popular celebrities, influencers, and youth icons to endorse voting and engage with young audiences through social media campaigns and public events.
- Sachin Tendulkar and Rajkummar Rao are the latest icons leveraging social media to get the youth to register and vote, ECI needs to do more such endorsements.
- Youth Representation:
- There is a need for increased youth representation in political parties, government institutions, and decision-making bodies to ensure that young people's voices are heard and their concerns are addressed.
- Issue-Based Campaigning:
- Political parties need to focus on issues that resonate with young voters, such as employment opportunities, education reform and social justice, to inspire their participation and involvement in the electoral process.
- Accessible Voting:
- ECI needs to ensure that voting procedures are accessible and convenient for young voters, including provisions for absentee voting, early voting, and polling stations in educational institutions and youth-centric locations.
Conclusion:
Home to the largest youth aggregate in the world, and with half its population below 25 years, India deserves better from its youth. They must be torchbearers of electoral democracy through interested participation, and not disengaged bystanders.
