Nagpur Civic Polls Face Voter Awareness Gap as 4 Lakh New Electors Join Rolls
The Nagpur Municipal Corporation elections are approaching with a significant surge in voter registration. Nearly four lakh first-time voters have been added to the electoral rolls this year. However, the State Election Commission's voter awareness campaign has drawn criticism for its heavy reliance on social media. Many residents report a noticeable absence of structured on-ground outreach activities.
Voter Numbers Jump, But Engagement Lags
In 2017, Nagpur had 20,93,392 registered voters. The figure has now surged to 24,83,112. This represents an increase of nearly 3.9 lakh voters. A large portion of these new electors are voting for the very first time in civic polls.
Despite this substantial increase, the State Election Commission's efforts appear inadequate. Residents across multiple wards say they have not seen any workshops, door-to-door campaigns, or neighbourhood-level awareness sessions. The lack of a robust and sustained campaign assumes greater significance in a city where past voter turnout has been relatively low.
Social Media Focus Leaves Voters Confused
NMC deputy commissioner Ranjana Lade, who also serves as the SVEEP in-charge, stated that voter awareness activities have been ongoing for the past eight days. She mentioned the use of the Matadarikar app, selfie points, rallies, and roadshows.
Yet, several citizens pointed out a critical flaw. Activities like rallies and roadshows largely focused on urging people to vote. They did not adequately explain the technicalities of the voting process itself.
Officials familiar with the election process revealed a key issue. No instructions came from the SEC regarding mock polling exercises or public demonstrations on how electronic voting machines function.
Residents Voice Concerns Over Digital-Only Approach
Siddhesh Shirke, a resident of ward 36, shared his experience. "Most of the information I received came through NMC's social media posts, QR codes and online videos," he said. He added that crucial details, like voting on different EVMs, were not communicated effectively on the ground.
Pratik Ingle from ward 19 observed that social media played a bigger role than official outreach. "I know how to vote, but most of what I learnt was through social media. I did not see any on-ground effort to explain the process," he stated.
Jay Kondawar from ward 17 offered a warning. He said while NMC's videos were informative, relying solely on digital platforms could exclude many voters. "The civic election is far more complicated than the Assembly polls. Without on-ground guidance, many voters could be confused at the booth," he explained.
First-Time Voters Rely on Family, Not Official Channels
The situation highlights a potential gap in reaching new electors. Samavedula Saumya from ward 10, currently in Bengaluru, said her parents explained the process to her.
Gauri Deshpande, a first-time voter from ward 14, and Gaurang Deshpande from ward 16 echoed similar views. They both stated that they relied on family guidance rather than any structured campaign from election authorities.
With polling day nearing, the absence of consistent engagement by the SEC, especially for first-time voters, remains a pressing concern. The outcome of these efforts, or the lack thereof, will be reflected in the final turnout figures.
