Maneesh Garg, Chief Electoral Officer of Himachal Pradesh, declared that April 1st will now serve as the qualifying date for individuals turning 18 years old, enabling them to register as voters for the upcoming elections.
Under the revised guidelines, citizens reaching the age of 18 on January 1st, April 1st, July 1st, or October 1st will have the opportunity to enroll in the voters’ list four times a year.
Garg highlighted the Election Commission of India’s amendments aimed at facilitating first-time voters’ enrollment in the voter list multiple times annually, ensuring their right to vote during elections.
In light of these changes, citizens attaining the age of 18 as of April 1, 2024, can register as voters for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections in Himachal Pradesh.
During a meeting of the State Systematic Voters Education & Electoral Participation (SVEEP) core committee, chaired by Garg, discussions centred on formulating comprehensive strategies to raise voter awareness and increase turnout.
Emphasizing the need to dispel misconceptions among youth, Garg stressed that registration for Panchayat elections doesn’t automatically qualify them to vote in Lok Sabha or Vidhan Sabha elections; they must register separately through FORM-6 to obtain their EPIC (cards).
New voters can fill out Form-6 online, while overseas voters can use Form 6A on the Voter’s service portal or Voter Helpline App.
Garg discussed engaging Nehru Yuva Kendra volunteers and Self-Help Groups to educate rural communities and boost turnout in specific areas with historically low participation rates.
The meeting, overseen by OSD SVEEP Neeraj Sharma and attended by various stakeholders, underscored the importance of leveraging media platforms and engaging citizens to ensure inclusive and robust electoral participation.