Punjab LS Polls 2024: Election Commission Meets To Revise Electoral Roll, Preparedness

The meeting was attended by Punjab’s Chief Electoral Officer Sibin C and all 23 Deputy Commissioners-cum-District Election Officers (DEOs).

The meeting involved revision of the voters’ list, the inclusion of new voters and deleted names of people who were deceased. 

Ahead of the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha poll in Punjab, the Election Commission had a meeting led by Deputy Election Commissioner Hirdesh Kumar in Chandigarh on Wednesday to revise the electoral roll and preparedness. The meeting was attended by Punjab’s Chief Electoral Officer Sibin C and all 23 Deputy Commissioners-cum-District Election Officers (DEOs). It focused on the revision of the voters’ list, the inclusion of new voters and deleted names of people who were deceased. 

Kumar assessed existing gaps in rolls in terms of elector-population (EP) ratio, gender ratio and age cohorts when he reviewed the electoral roll management at the district level. 

The primary focus area of this meeting was the revision of voters' lists, which included adding new eligible voters and removing names of deceased individuals, as mentioned in an official statement released after the event. In addition to this, a review was carried out regarding electoral roll management at district level. According to PTI, DEOs were asked to ensure inclusivity and especially focus on marginalised segments, persons with disabilities (PwDs) and transgenders. Kumar also urged DEOs to concentrate on voter registration among youths especially within the age group of 18-19 years. This demographic is crucial as they will be first-time voters who can play a significant role in shaping political landscapes.

In the meeting the Election Commission reviewed human resources for the upcoming Lok Sabha election in 2024 in the state which has 13 Lok Sabha seats.

Kumar also reviewed the number of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) available at district headquarters and stressed on following the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and prescribed guidelines when the EVMs are moved or stored.

Aside from this, he also reviewed facilities such as ramps, drinking water and toilets at every polling booth.

AAP And I.N.D.I.A Alliance

The Lok Sabha elections are set to be held next year. The Aam Aadmi Party has already stated that it is going to fly solo and dismissed speculations of an alliance with the Congress. Mann highlighted the Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) past electoral successes when it contested independently and asserted their capability to form and govern governments unaided.

Likewise, Congress leaders have expressed their opposition to any collaboration with the AAP in the Lok Sabha polls. Punjab Congress Chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring revealed plans to contest all 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab.