There are more than 36 lakh eligible voters in the 18-20 age group but only 7.2 lakh voters have enrolled their names in the voters��� list. Officials say that this disappointing trend may also be because of the difficulties involved in enrolment.

YOUNG PEOPLE of the state of Andhra Pradesh seem to have no interest in voting if one goes by the Election Commission [EC] statistics. Though there are more than 36 lakh eligible voters in the 18-20 age groups, only 7.2 lakh voters have enrolled their names in the voters’ list. Officials say that this disappointing trend may also be because of the difficulties involved in enrolment.

 
Students who are just turning 18 may not be well versed at filling the form, attaching photographs and submitting the form at a specific place also needs time – said the chief electoral officer (CEO) I V Subba Rao.
 

To ensure more enrolment of the youth, the EC is taking out a special drive from January 19-24. As a part of this, EC officials will go to colleges and fill up the form for the students, get their photographs and endorse them by the principal. This also ends the problem of identification and authentication. The CEO added that the EC would hold a video conference, on January 6, in which principals of engineering and degree colleges and university vice chancellors would participate. The EC aims to enroll an additional 20 lakh voters through the special drive. The campaign by Chiranjeevi’s Prajarajyam, the Telugu Desam and BJP urging the youth to enroll does not seem to have much inspired them.
 
Chiranjeevi even launched a drive to enroll his fans, who are in the age of 18-25 years and met EC officials for extending the last date. None of it worked and more than 70 per cent of youth still stay away from enrollment. The EC has decided to push continuous enrolment by establishing centers to issue permanent voter identity card in all 11,000 mandal headquarters.
 
The EC will introduce voter enrolment at post offices in 25 towns including all district headquarters. This facility is currently available only in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad.