From apps to social media influencers, EC set for vigorous drive to increase voter turnout in K'taka
Bengaluru (PTI): Encouraging the public to use various apps to putting QR codes on voter slips to locate polling booths, the Election Commission is coming out with several initiatives to increase turnout in the coming Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka leveraging technology, EC officials said on Tuesday.
Voter Helpline, 'Know Your Candidate' and updating details about number of voters in queue and kind of parking facilities available at polling booths and an elaborate booth election management plan are among the other measures being taken.
The EC is also collaborating with social media influencers to encourage people to cast their ballot.
Celebrities like head coach of Indian cricket team Rahul Dravid, Jnanpith awardee Dr Chandrashekhara Kambar and Paralympian Girish Gowda are the State election icons.
The general elections in Karnataka will be held in two phases on April 26 and May 7 for its 28 constituencies.
Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Meena told PTI that out of the 58,834 polling booths, the EC has identified nearly 5,000 polling booths especially those in the urban and Kalyana Karnataka region of the state which have seen very low voting percentage in the previous elections.
According to the final electoral roll 2024 published on March 16, there are a total of 5,42,08,088 electors in Karnataka. There are 2,71,21,407 male voters, 2,70,81,748 female voters and 4,933 third gender voters. As many as 11,24,622 voters are in the 18-19 age group, 6,12,154 are PwD voters and 46,412 are service voters.
Citing the Karnataka Assembly elections held last year, he said the state recorded around 73 per cent voting but in urban areas like those coming under Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike where there are 28 Assembly seats, the voting percentage was around 54 per cent almost 20 per cent below the state average.
Some constituencies in the Kalyana Karnataka region also saw the turnout below the state average.
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Referring to the voter turnout in the 2019 Parliamentary elections, he said the national average was 66 per cent and in Karnataka, it was 68 per cent; around 20 constituencies were above the national average and eight below it.
"So, we have analysed all these things and identified those polling booths - those constituencies which are below national average and those Assembly segments which are below state average and polling booths which are below the average in the Assembly polls. So, all that analysis has been done and our team went to all these polling stations and tried to find out what were the reasons...Why people were not coming out to vote," he said.
To increase voting percentage in such booths, Meena said they have also prepared an elaborate booth management plan to reach out to those people.
"In urban constituencies, need for better facilities for polling was seen, in Kalyana Karnataka region, migration was a major reason for low voter turnout. So, we actually convinced family members to call those outside the state and encouraged them to come to their hometowns just to cast votes," he said.
Elaborating, Meena said: "The booth election management plan contains details about number of young, women, service, elderly, disabled voters, polling stations and whether all facilities are available in these booths or not, details about the voting percentage in the previous elections, what people are saying why they did not vote, what they want, what should be done to enhance the voter percentage. That plan is already ready."
Citing analysis, he said there are 43 such urban Assembly constituencies (out of a total of 224) which witnessed voting percentage below the state average, "We have made an elaborate plan as per what we found out."
Mentioning a few, Meena said suppose if a voter goes to the polling station and needs to wait, there should a place to wait...facility to sit, considering elections will be in summer (April-May), there should be some shade or tent put up, fans arranged, clean potable drinking water facilities and separate toilets for male and females.
"We would be putting QR codes on the voter slips just like how we did for the recently held Bengaluru teachers constituency election. We got a good response. Mostly in urban areas, people usually don't know where their polling stations are. So, you need to just scan this QR code and using Google maps, you will reach the exact location of your polling booth."
The EC in Karnataka is also keen on promoting features of 'Chunavana' mobile application through which the Booth Level Officers would update details about the number of people in queue at their respective polling booths so that sitting at home, people can prioritise the time period when they would want to go to cast their vote.
The app will also give details about the nearest parking facilities available at respective booths.
"The idea is to facilitate people to decide if they need to come on a two-wheeler or a car as per the parking space available at their respective booths. As far as possible, they should be comfortable," he said.
"We will also provide facilities in case wheelchairs are required, information on braille, a magnifying glass, a sign language interpreter if needed at booths and also facilities for any medical emergency," he said.
For the first time in Lok Sabha elections, people above 85 years of age and those with more than 40 per cent disability will be able to cast their votes from home, according to the EC.
"We are hoping that because of these improvements in services, we would be able to enhance voting percentage this time," he added.
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India, Ethiopia elevate ties to strategic partnership as PM Modi holds talks with his counterpart
Addis Ababa (PTI): India and Ethiopia on Tuesday elevated their historical ties to a strategic partnership, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held wide-ranging talks with his Ethiopian counterpart Abiy Ahmed Ali during which they discussed issues of bilateral and mutual interest.
Modi, who arrived here from Jordan on his maiden bilateral visit, was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the National Palace ahead of the bilateral talks, reflecting the vibrant India-Ethiopia relations rooted in shared history and a promising future.
"We are elevating India and Ethiopia relations to a strategic partnership. This step will provide new energy, new momentum and new depth to our ties," Prime Minister Modi said during the delegation-level talks.
He thanked PM Ali for his support in India's fight against terrorism. "The support of friendly countries in this struggle against terrorism holds great significance," Modi said.
"Today, we got the opportunity to deliberate on the key aspects of our cooperation, such as economy, innovation, technology, defence, health, capacity-building and multilateral cooperation. I am pleased that today, we have decided to double the student scholarship for Ethiopia in India," Modi said.
Modi said that India and Ethiopia have shared contact, dialogue, and exchange for thousands of years. The two countries, which are rich in languages and traditions, are symbols of unity in diversity, he added.
"Both countries are democratic powers committed to peace and the welfare of humanity. We are co-travellers and partners of the Global South. On international platforms, we have stood shoulder-to-shoulder," he said.
The two sides signed eight MoUs/agreements, including upgrading ties to 'Strategic Partnership', customs cooperation, establishing data center at the Ethiopian Foreign Ministry, UN Peacekeeping training cooperation, debt restructuring under G20, more ICCR scholarships and AI short courses for Ethiopians, and support for maternal and neonatal healthcare.
Modi said the African Union's headquarters in Ethiopia makes the country a meeting point of African diplomacy. "Inspired by the common vision of an inclusive world, in 2023, India ensured that the African Union became a G20 member," he said.
In 2023, during India’s G20 Presidency, the African Union was admitted as a permanent member of the G20.
Modi said that though this is his first visit, he felt a deep sense of belonging and warmth, reflecting the thousands of years of connection between the two countries.
On his part, Prime Minister Ali said the two countries share over thousands of years of connection through trade, diplomacy, education, culture and even in our food and traditions. "These ties continue to shape a deep friendship, collaboration and mutual respect between our people," he said.
"We also appreciate your consistent message that Africa's priorities must lead the partnership. These kinds of dignified, respectful messages for Africa are very important. Mr Prime Minister, keep pushing. That is the type of message we are expecting from all our trusted friends," Ali said.
He said this aligned fully with Ethiopia's development plan - African-owned, African-led, and African-defined.
"Today, we meet with a clear focus to shape a modern partnership, grounded in sovereignty, self-reliance and practical cooperation. Our cooperation is rooted in equality and South-South solidarity," he said.
"Our economy is performing strongly. Last year, we grew 9.2% and this year we are expecting 10.3% GDP growth. Besides GDP growth, our FDI inflow is also rising big time. India is the leading source for our FDI," he said.
"We have more than 615 Indian companies which are investing in Ethiopia. This all gives our cooperation a strong foundation of trust. I think our decision today that we elevate our historic relationship to a strategic relationship is the right decision," he added.
Ethiopia also conferred its highest award - The Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia - on PM Modi. He is the first global head of state to receive this award.
Prime Minister Modi also went to the Friendship Park and Friendship Square in Addis Ababa with PM Ali.
In a warm and special gesture, PM Modi was earlier received by his Ethiopian counterpart at the airport and accorded a warm and colourful welcome.
"Ethiopia is a nation with great history and vibrant culture," Modi said.
PM Ali informed his Indian counterpart about the varieties of Ethiopian coffee during informal talks.
"At Addis Ababa airport, took part in a traditional Coffee Ceremony with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali. The ceremony beautifully highlights Ethiopia’s rich heritage," Modi said.
In a unique gesture, the Ethiopian Prime Minister drove Modi to the hotel.
On the way, he took a special initiative of taking PM Modi to the Science Museum and Friendship Park, which was not in the itinerary.
"Gratitude to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali for showing me glimpses of Ethiopian history and culture at the National Palace Museum in Addis Ababa. It was a powerful reminder of Ethiopia’s rich traditions," Modi said in a post on X.
The Nobel Peace Prize-winning Ethiopian PM’s special gestures show remarkable respect for Modi, sources said.
"Thank you Ethiopia for a welcome that was unforgettable. The Indian community showed remarkable warmth and affection. India-Ethiopia friendship is going to get even more robust in the times to come," Modi said.
When Modi arrived at the hotel, he was warmly welcomed by the members of the Indian community. Local artists performed dances. Some of them danced on the theme of the popular Hindi song 'Aisa Des Hai Mera' to welcome him.
On Wednesday, Modi will address the Joint Session of Parliament and share his thoughts on India's journey as the "Mother of Democracy" and the value that the India-Ethiopia partnership can bring to the Global South.
PM Modi arrived in Ethiopia from Jordan, where he held a one-on-one meeting with King Abdullah II at the Husseiniya Palace on Monday before the delegation-level talks.
India and Jordan also inked MoUs in the fields of culture, renewable energy, water management, digital public infrastructure and twinning arrangement between Petra and Ellora, aimed at giving a major boost to bilateral ties and friendship.
From Ethiopia, Modi will visit Oman on the final leg of this three-nation tour.
