MP: 8 Among 10 Migrants Fail To Cast Vote Due To Lack Of Accessibility; Low Voter Turnout In 2024 Lok Sabha Elections

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Over one lakh voters, residing in Bhopal but originally from other cities, were unable to vote in the 2024 Lok Sabha election. Eight out of ten such people are from various professions, including bankers, private companies, teachers and college students. They said that logistical and financial challenges were reasons for their failure to vote.

Many of these voters said travelling to their hometown for a single day to vote was impractical. Additionally, the cost of travel deterred them from making the trip. Surya Bose, a freelance photographer who has been living in Bhopal for two years, shared his experience. Originally from Siliguri, West Bengal, Surya and his mother Reena Bose were regular voters when they lived in their hometown.

However, for this election, the cost of travelling around 2,500 per person made it unfeasible. Similarly, Sakshi Sharma a private bank employee originally from Betul district, highlighted the challenges of getting sufficient leave to travel and vote. ‘I was only granted a day off for voting, but I would have needed at least three days to travel to my hometown and return,’ she explained.

Many of these non-voters unanimously suggested that digitising the voting process or expanding access to postal ballots could significantly address the issue. They emphasised that such measures would enable them to participate in future elections without logistical or financial burden. The low turnout among migrant voters underscores the need for innovative solutions to ensure that every eligible citizen can exercise their democratic right, regardless of their location.

‘Expanding postal ballot access would pose challenges’

Madhya Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer Sukhveer Singh told Free Press that expanding postal ballot access to include migrants would pose unforeseen challenges. He emphasised that the Election Commission is continually working to improve voter turnout. Singh pointed out that initiatives like home voting for the elderly and disabled were successfully implemented in this election. He also stressed the importance of raising awareness about the value of each vote as a means to boost participation.

LS polls: Guv to honor officers for exemplary work

A felicitation ceremony recognizing the outstanding efforts of officials in the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 will be held on Saturday on National Voters Day. Governor Mangubhai Patel will preside over the event, honoring 12 collectors, five IPS officers, and other officials.

Chief Secretary Anurag Jain will also attend the programme. Awards will be given for excellence in law and order, voter list revision, SVEEP activities, and IT innovations.

Among the honorees collectors include Neha Meena (Jhabua), Rajesh Batham (Ratlam), and Subhash Kumar Dwivedi (Ashoknagar), as well as IPS officers Aman Singh Rathore (Shivpuri) and Abhishek Anand (Mandsaur). Special recognition will be given for IT and SVEEP innovations, including Bhopal Collector Kaushalendra Vikram Singh.