Tamil Nadu will see an all-important election for its state legislative assembly in 2021. With key political parties already kicking off their campaigns, voters too must do their part to ensure that their names are on the voting rolls.

The Election Commission of India has released the draft voters’ list for the state. Citizens can go through the draft voter rolls and get any changes in the same made if they find their details to be incorrect or if they have shifted residence. They can do this during the claims and objections period that will last until December 15th. 

The required changes can be made offline by furnishing the forms necessary with the designated booth level officer. The process can also be completed online at  www.nvsp.in and https://voterportal.eci.gov.in.

In Chennai, Velachery has the highest number of registered voters at 3.05 lakhs. Harbour has the lowest number of registered voters at 1.73 lakhs. Chennai district has 39.40 lakh voters overall.

Despite the time provided to help fix the electoral rolls — the claims and objections period — there are many instances where individuals do not pay heed to the calls or are unfamiliar with the process of getting changes made to the rolls.

In many instances, those who shift residences do not update their address. In such cases, they will continue to be registered as a voter in a constituency they no longer reside in and do not vote from. This in turn also reduces the overall voter turnout in the area.

Thanks to the encouragement for first time voters to register, the drive held just prior to the 2019 Lok Sabha elections saw 8635 first time voters in Chennai come forward to enrol to vote in the polls. Despite this, South Chennai saw the lowest voter turnout at 56.41% while the overall turnout for the state stood at 71%.

In order to ensure that first time voters (in the upcoming assembly elections) and those who wish to make changes to their voter details get all necessary help and to weed out any duplications, a number of resident welfare associations (RWAs) of Kottur Gardens are conducting a drive that will mobilise a volunteer force. These volunteers will go door-to-door to spread awareness and help citizens. This is presently for polling booths (or part numbers) 145, 146, 147 and 158.

The office bearers of these RWAs are looking for college-goers to form the volunteer force. Those interested will be provided necessary information and material to help those citizens who wish to have any changes made to their voter details; they will also facilitate registration of first time voters and identify and flag duplicate entries in the voter rolls.

The volunteers will be provided certificates for their participation. A cash award will also be made to the best performing volunteer team. 

To sign up to be a part of this initiative, please contact:

Rajagopal Swaminathan – rajagopal1010@gmail.com