Date:03/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/03/stories/2008080354700500.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

5.5 crore voters in State

Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD: Voters’ strength in Andhra Pradesh has gone up to 5,50,00,706 after fresh enrolment achieved through strenuous efforts made by State election authorities. This is nearly 65 per cent of an estimated 8.5 crore population.

The draft electoral rolls after fresh inclusions and deletions, showing the new figures, was notified on August 1, inviting further claims and objections, if any. Final version of the rolls after rectification of the objections/claims will be published on September 15.

The remaining 3 crore population left out by the electoral rolls consisted of those below 18 years, the eligible age prescribed or citizens who failed to enrol themselves for different reasons, including indifference. Under the fresh enumeration, 29 lakh citizens were included and plans have been drawn up to enrol another 20 lakh in the near future.

ID cards

I.V. Subba Rao, Chief Electoral Officer, who left no stone unturned to provide voting right to as many eligible people as possible, announced at a press conference here on Saturday that 4.1 crore out of 5.5 crore voters, were issued voter identity cards - a coverage of 74.94 per cent. Cards would be issued to the 1.37 crores voters listed in the rolls in the next few days.

Mr. Rao said claims and objections on the draft, copies of which were supplied to political parties and displayed at designated offices, would be received up to August 20 between 10.30 am and 5 pm. Eligible citizens could seek enrolment even now by submitting applications to competent authorities. Applications could be downloaded from www.eci.gov.in or http://www.ceoandhra.nic.in or obtained from post-offices.

After publication of the final version of the rolls with inclusions and deletions after rectification of claims/objections, enrolment would be taken up as part of ‘continuous updation’ from September 15. Permanent photography centres would be set up at 1,200 centres in the State, covering all mandal headquarters.