Over 15 lakh first-time voters this time in Karnataka

Bengaluru: More than 15 lakh voters in the age group of 18 and 19 have been registered in the electoral rolls for the forthcoming Assembly elections in Karnataka. The number of first time voters is significantly higher in these elections as compared to the 7,18,934 voters in the same age group, who were registered in the 2013 Assembly elections. The gender ratio at 972 this time is also much higher than the 958 during the last elections. Besides, more than 4,000 sexuality minority voters have come forward and got registered under the ‘others’ column in the gender category. 

“There is a sizeable increase in the enrollment of voters across the spectrum because of an intensive and sustained Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (Sveep) campaign. The campaign was intensified this time and all pre-university colleges/professional institutes were covered under Sveep to create awareness,” said Chief Electoral Officer Sanjiv Kumar.