Mobile counters will collect applications for registration of new voters in the suburbs, beginning on Tuesday.
These mobile counters of the suburban collectorate will operate from special vans that will be stationed in different areas on different days, which would be decided by the election officers in charge.
How will mobile counters help?
"We are aiming at an all-time high voter turnout for the forthcoming assembly elections and therefore we will try out best to ensure that each and every voter gets an opportunity to vote," said Shekhar Channe, collector, Mumbai suburban district.
The enrollment form (Form 6) will be available at the counters and the election staff will also accept completed applications. The mobile counters would function on weekends too.
How long will the facility operate?
"We request people to make the drive a success by coming out and enrolling at the earliest, if they have not done so yet," Channe said.
This mobile initiative, which has been organised for the first time, will continue till 10 days before the filing of nominations for candidates begins. The elections are due in October and the poll schedule would likely start mid-September.
Broadly, each van would cover two assembly constituencies.
Reminder for voters with ID cards
"We have been telling people repeatedly that having an election identity card is not sufficient to vote and that their names must be on the voters' list. They should check their names on the list which is available on the state election commission website," Channe explained.
The election commission was severely criticised after thousands of voters found their names missing from the voters' lists after they came out to vote during the Lok Sabha elections in May.
Voters deleted must register too
In July, VS Sampath, chief election commissioner, said the department was sending Form 6 by post to the nearly 26lakh voters in the state whose names may have been deleted during the summary revision of the rolls earlier in the year.
They were expected to fill and submit the forms to get registered again. Surprisingly, of about eight lakh forms that were sent out till them, nearly 60 per cent of the letters were returned undelivered.
According to the commission, of a total 50.32 lakh names deleted from the voters' lists in 2013, 19.40 lakh were from Mumbai, Thane and Pune.
How do you check your name in the voters' list?
You can call the election commission on the helplines 1950 / 1800221950
Or, send an sms on 869889966 giving your ten-digit voter identity number
Log on to the election commission website ceo.maharashtra.gov.in and use the search option on the main page to find whether your name is in the electoral roll
Here's how to enroll
Check the location of the Voter Help Centre nearest to you on ceo.maharashtra.gov.in
Visit the voter help centre / mobile counter with the necessary documentation like your passport-size photograph, address and age proof (in either the passport, birth certificate, driving license, ration card, or some other valid document)
Voter registration forms will be accepted till 10 days before the filling of nominations for candidates begins. The assembly elections are due in October and the poll schedule could be announced some time soon.
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