By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: There are as many as 3912 males, mostly students, under the age group of 18-19 who are yet to be enrolled in the fifteen constituencies under Shillong. The number of females is 3562. This was revealed during the launch of the Systematic Voters Education and Electoral Participation at the Deputy Commissioner’s office on Friday to facilitate enrolment of more voters. The theme of the SPEEV is ‘Be the Change. Not just part of the change’. As per the survey conducted by the East Khasi Hills District Administration, 7431 males and 6816 females under the age group of 20 and above are yet to enroll themselves in the voters’ list.
The number of total registered voters in the East Khasi Hills district stands at 1,84,718 males and 2,03,413 females.
During the gathering, Deputy Commissioner Sanjay Goyal also sought suggestions from various political parties, NGOs, Schools and Colleges to further improve the enrolment of voters in the State.
The Deputy Commissioner’s office also decided to start various initiatives including launching of SMS campaign to create awareness on the names of polling stations where the voters can the cast their votes in view of the delimitation of constituencies.
The meeting also felt the need to appoint nodal officers in different colleges so as to enable students to get themselves enrolled.
Besides, there are also plans to set up registration centers and registration melas to create awareness among the people.
“Schools and colleges are our target,” Goyal said.
The District Administration has also roped in famous karateka Linza Fenny Syiem as the ‘District Icon’ to play an important role in making people aware of the need to enroll themselves.
The District Administration has a plan to introduce caller tune services where songs would be composed in Khasi and other local languages to create awareness.
There are altogether 603 polling stations in the fifteen Assembly constituencies under Shillong.
Meanwhile, the SVEEP was officially launched in West Khasi Hills district on Friday by Deputy Commissioner S Kharlyngdoh, who is also the district election officer.
Kharlyngdoh informed the gathering that the Election Commission of India has announced the schedule for revision of the electoral rolls with reference to 1st January, 2013 as the qualifying date.