I’puram: Low participation in municipal polls? Here’s why
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I’puram: Low participation in municipal polls? Here’s why

Despite high population density in the area, some residents complain that there is insufficient participation from the populace.

I’puram: Low participation in municipal polls? Here’s why

Some residents of high-rises in Indirapuram complain that there is usually insufficient participation in municipal elections by the residents. They say that the lackadaisical attitude of authorities and lack of awareness among residents is the primary reason behind the problem.

Alok Kumar, patron of FedAOA, an apex apex body of Ghaziabad’s apartment owners associations, told City Spidey that despite high population density in the area, residents fail to participate in the elections. “Only a few among thousands of residents in the societies have their names enlisted in the municipal voter list,” he said.

“The way the BLOs [block level officers] spring into action during the voter enrolment process before assembly elections is missing in case of municipal elections. The scenario is the same in all residential societies,” he added.

Sharing similar sentiments, Ravindra Saini, president of Jaipuria Sunrise Greens, a residential society, and also the general secretary of FedAOA, said that there were only 26 registered voters for the municipal elections despite the society’s population in thousands.

“Although the inclusion of voters for assembly elections is improving, there is little change in the number municipal voters. We tried to improve the situation by contacting the BLOs and the authorities concerned but to no avail,” Saini added.

City Spidey took up the issue with Nidhi Kesarwani, district magistrate of Ghaziabad. The DM assured that proper camps and form collection points will be organised for inclusion of the names of residents of high-rise societies. "The process will be initiated only after we get directions from the State Election Commission of Uttar Pradesh," Kesarwani added.

Meanwhile, members of FedAOA have begun sharing forms and other information regarding the inclusion of voters via social media platforms such as WhatsApp.