94% turnout in 'Vote from Home' initiative in Karnataka

BENGALURU: The Election Commission's (EC) efforts to scale up polling percentage in Karnataka received a shot in the arm with Karnataka achieving 94.3% voter turnout under the 'Vote from Home' option.
A first-of-its-kind initiative launched in the state by the EC to enable people above 80 years to vote saw a turnout of 75,690 out of the total 80,250 registered voters.
The initiative also saw a high turnout of 96.6% among voters with physical disabilities (PwD), with 18,636 out of the 19,279 registered voters participating. In total, the voter turnout for both categories was 94.8%.
Voting results show hard work of staffers paid off, says CEO
Buoyed by the success of the programme, Manoj Kumar Meena, Chief Electoral Officer, Karnataka, said, “The credit must go to officials and polling staff who diligently went about collecting details of voters to ensure free and fair voting from the comfort of voters’ homes. We could not achieve 100 per cent result as many of the voters who opted for the facility either passed away suddenly or moved to other locations at the last minute. The results are positive and show that the hard work of officials and staffers paid off.”
To facilitate voting for these 80,250 voters, the EC launched a weeklong drive from April 29 to May 6. Polling officials visited the homes of the registered voters and helped senior citizens and voters with physical disabilities cast their votes. The entire voting process was videographed in the presence of political party representatives, and the ballots are safely stored in strongrooms.
The process also won the appreciation of Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar who personally telephoned 103-yearold Mahadeva Mahalinga Maali of Ingali village in Chikkodi taluk of Belagavi district and conveyed his appreciation for taking part in the democratic exercise.
Bengaluru witnesses 93% turnout
Overcoming the tag of ‘urban apathy’ among its electorate, Bengaluru reported a turnout of over 93% under the ‘Vote from Home’ option facility for those aged above 80 and those with disabilities. Of the 9,152 voters who registered under the option, 8,519 cast their vote. Of the 119 voters with disabilities, 112 exercised their franchise. Sending out a strong message to political parties in Bengaluru, 97 voters above 80 refused to vote.