LUCKNOW: Nearly 75% of the 5.59 lakh applications for new voter registration received during two special enrolment camps across Uttar Pradesh were submitted on Saturday (Oct 24), the second and final day of the campaign, indicating a sharp surge in applications compared to the first camp held a week earlier.According to the office of Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Navdeep Rinwa, a total of 5,59,178 Form-6 applications were received during the two camps held on Oct 17 and 24. Of these, 4,21,953 applications, accounting for 75.46% of the total, were received on Saturday alone, compared to 1,37,225 on Oct 17.The second camp recorded 2,84,728 more applications than the first, with the number of applications for registration through Form-6 increasing more than threefold.The enrolment drive assumes significance against the backdrop of a substantial gap between Uttar Pradesh’s projected adult population and its registered electorate.According to population projections prepared by the National Commission on Population under the Union ministry of health and family welfare, Uttar Pradesh’s population is estimated at 24.29 crore in 2026, including 16.17 crore people aged 18 years and above.However, electoral data as of Oct 7 shows that the state had 13,46,77,027 registered voters, representing approximately 83.30% of its projected adult population.This leaves a gap of approximately 2.7 crore people, or 16.7%, between the projected voting-age population and the registered electorate. The figures are based on the July 2020 report of the Technical Group on Population Projections for India and States, which covers the period from 2011 to 2036.However, the gap does not necessarily represent the number of eligible but unregistered voters, as the projected adult population may include foreign nationals, people otherwise ineligible to vote, and statistical differences arising from population estimates.The special campaign was organised at polling stations across the state to facilitate the inclusion of eligible citizens whose names were missing from electoral rolls. Particular emphasis was placed on encouraging women and young voters to register.Booth Level Officers (BLOs) remained available at polling stations from 10 am to 4 pm on both campaign days to receive applications and assist citizens with voter registration and corrections to electoral records.Reviewing the campaign, the CEO appreciated the efforts of district election officers in Hathras, Ghazipur, Sambhal, Kaushambi, Mathura, Amethi and Barabanki for effectively conducting the special enrolment drives.However, district election officers in Ghaziabad, Bulandshahr, Varanasi, Bhadohi, Prayagraj, Hamirpur, Ambedkar Nagar, Amroha, Meerut and Gautam Buddh Nagar were directed to intensify their efforts to improve voter registration.Rinwa also instructed all district election officers to ensure the prompt disposal of applications in accordance with prescribed procedures and strengthen awareness campaigns so that no eligible citizen remains excluded from the electoral rolls.Importantly, the 5.59 lakh figure represents applications received, rather than confirmed additions to the electoral rolls. The applications will undergo verification and scrutiny before eligible applicants are registered.Citizens have been advised to check their names on the electoral rolls through ceouttarpradesh.nic.in. Those whose names are missing can submit Form-6, while existing voters seeking corrections to their names or other particulars can apply through Form-8.Applications and registration-related information are also available through voters.eci.gov.in. Citizens can additionally use the ‘Book a Call With BLO’ facility available on the portal and the ECINET application to contact their respective BLOs for assistance.
