- By Abhishek Sheoran
- Mon, 29 Apr 2024 10:13 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Disquieted over low voter turnout in the first two phases of the ongoing Lok Sabha polls, the BJP and the Congress are planning to change their strategy in Madhya Pradesh. The saffron party has assigned ministers and legislators, besides Panna and Ardh Panna Pramukhs, the responsibility of mobilizing voters from their respective areas. The Congress, on the other hand, has activated its booth-level committees.
The Youth Congress, Women's Congress, Seva Dal and NSUI have been instructed to conduct door-to-door outreach one day before the polling. Meanwhile, the office of the Chief Electoral Officer has decided to launch 'Booth Chalein Abhiyan' (Let's Go to the Booth Campaign) on May 7. Awareness programs will be conducted at each polling station as part of this initiative.
Over 12 Lok Sabha seats lagged behind in polling as compared to the 2019 polls. Voting has concluded in the parliamentary constituencies of Sidhi, Shahdol, Jabalpur, Mandla, Balaghat, Chhindwara, Tikamgarh, Damoh, Khajuraho, Satna, Rewa, and Hoshangabad in Madhya Pradesh. Compared to 2019, voter turnout was lower in the first phase by 7.48 per cent and in the second phase by 9.6 per cent. Concerned about the low turnout, the BJP has decided to actively engage ministers and legislators along with Panna and Ardh Panna district heads.
The Election Commission is equally concerned over the low voter turnout. The Chief Electoral Officer held meetings with the collectors in this regard. The officials decided to launch 'Booth Chalein Abhiyan' in the 17 parliamentary constituencies where elections are scheduled for the third and fourth phases.
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On May 1, this campaign will be conducted at 20,456 polling centres across the Betul, Morena, Bhind, Gwalior, Guna, Sagar, Vidisha, Bhopal, and Rajgarh parliamentary constituencies.