BENGALURU: The Karnataka State Election Commission has planned to take up several activities in order to boost voting in the upcoming Assembly elections in the city.
According to data, the state capital recorded a low voting percentage, especially in IT corridor, in the previous election. In some constituencies, the voting percentage was as low as 48 per cent, while in the rest of the city, it ranged from 50 per cent to 56 per cent. The Election Commission of India has asked the district administration to take steps to ensure higher voting and of at least 65 per cent.
Steps taken by the Election Commission to boost voting in the city
- Intensive monitoring of previously low-polling constituencies.
- Analysis of low voting rate.
- Monitoring of migrants.
- Survey on voter enrollment.
- Awareness about voting.
The district deputy commissioner has warned history-sheeters and other anti-social elements not to create any trouble during the upcoming Assembly elections while threatening to take strict action against them.
“We have made several efforts to increase voter turnout in the city. In the 2018 Assembly election, the turnout in Anekal was 63 per cent, in Yelahanka it was 62 per cent, in Dasarhalli 48 per cent and in the remaining constituencies, it was 50 per cent. The average voting rate in the city was 56 per cent. We are preparing for elections in advance in the state. We have sent three history-sheeters to jail to avoid untoward incidents. We have also sent notices to 10 other history-sheeters. We have a target of achieving 65 per cent voter turnout this year”, said K A Dayananda, Bengaluru Urban Deputy Commissioner.