Voter Awareness camps accross Jammu

Under systematic voters education and electoral participation (SVEEP) more than 1200 awareness camps have been organised in 6 months. These model polling stations are the culmination of campaign to lead the voters from homes to polling booths, he added.

"In more than 30 polling stations the women turnout remained less than 1%. Awareness and enrolment drive started in September last has recorded an increase of 16 per cent voters in the district with addition of 14000 women and 12000 women, at the same time deletion of 3200 duplicate voters", Iqbal said.

A serious challenge faced by district administration is migration of nomadic Bakkerwals and Gujjars along with their livestock which is a major factor leading to low turnout, he added.

Comprising more than 32% of electorate the tribal nomads have also been roped in through 'Jirga' campaign of electoral awareness and participation under SVEEP, he added.

The response has been encouraging with decision to delay migration reported from many nomadic hamlets. For these nomads special veterinary camps are planned immediately after the poll day.

District Election Officer informed that more than 100 odd activities of electoral awareness and facilitated participation are active in the district under 34 different campaigns targeting particular groups and hoped that turnout will see a rise. Lack of local candidate from district remains a factor though.