Remote voting for senior citizens to ensure their participation

82 lakh citizens are aged above 85 years, 2.18 lakh centenarian voters

Voting will take place across approximately 11 lakh polling booths

As the countdown to the highly anticipated 2024 Lok Sabha Elections begins, Chief Election Commissioner Rajeev Kumar addressed the press, unveiling significant updates.

Among these updates is the introduction of remote voting for senior citizens, ensuring their participation in the democratic process from the comfort of their homes.

Highlighting the magnitude of this electoral event, Commissioner Rajeev Kumar expressed confidence in India’s preparedness for what is poised to be the world’s largest vote. With over 97 crore individuals expected to cast their votes, the scale is unprecedented. Voting will take place across approximately 11 lakh polling booths, managed by a workforce of 1.5 crore personnel.

The demographics of voters present a diverse landscape, with 49.7 crore male voters and 47.1 crore female voters. Notably, there are over 19 crore young voters, with 1.8 crore individuals set to exercise their voting rights for the first time.

In a bid to ensure inclusivity, special provisions have been made for various segments of the population. Among these are 48 thousand transgender voters, 82 lakh individuals aged above 85 years, 2.18 lakh centenarian voters, and 89 lakh specially abled voters.

Commissioner Kumar emphasized that both elderly and specially challenged citizens will have the option to vote remotely from the comfort of their home, ensuring their participation in this democratic process.