Lucknow: Anil Yadav, former member of the Uttar Pradesh State Backward Classes Commission, has called for a more effective voter awareness campaign, stressing that every eligible citizen must be encouraged to register on the electoral rolls and participate in the democratic process.
Yadav also raised questions about the Election Commission’s publicity efforts, stating that inadequate awareness among citizens and limited outreach by the concerned authorities could hinder efforts to ensure wider voter registration.
He said registering on the electoral rolls was not merely a formality but an important democratic right of every eligible citizen. According to him, many people were still not taking the necessary steps to ensure their names were included in the voter list.
Yadav cited efforts undertaken at Station Memorial Jubilee Girls College in Charbagh, Lucknow, covering areas associated with electoral roll numbers 245, 246, 247 and 248. Despite attempts to educate residents and encourage eligible citizens to register, only around 50 new voters could reportedly be enrolled.
He said the outcome highlighted the need for sustained public awareness initiatives and better communication about voter registration procedures.
Yadav urged the Election Commission and the concerned authorities to disseminate information in simple language about new registrations, corrections and other electoral roll-related processes. He called for area-wise awareness campaigns, local information drives, publicity for registration camps and direct engagement with eligible citizens.
He particularly emphasised reaching young people, first-time voters and those who had not yet registered for various reasons. He added that merely making registration facilities available at offices was insufficient unless citizens were adequately informed about the process and deadlines.
Appealing to the public, Yadav urged all eligible citizens to check their names on the electoral rolls and apply through the prescribed procedure if their names were missing.
He stressed that improving voter registration required collective participation from the administration, election authorities, organisations and citizens. Calling for a broad-based awareness campaign, he said no eligible citizen should be deprived of the opportunity to exercise their voting rights because of a lack of information.
Yadav concluded that voter awareness should become a public movement, supported by effective institutional outreach and active citizen participation, to make electoral rolls more inclusive and strengthen democratic participation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=RtToJsBhYBatUrym&v=mOuYNSdhjHA&feature=youtu.be
