MUMBAI: Maharashtra has the highest number of registered voters in the age-group of 85 years and above – 13 lakh – in the country, according to data available till April 8.
Uttar Pradesh comes next with 10.4 lakh registered voters, while Bihar has 6.6 lakh and Tamil Nadu has 6.1 lakh voters in the 85+ category. The total voters in this category in India are 81 lakh.Maharashtra’s share is as high as 16%.
The lowest registrations are in the Union territories. Lakshadweep has only 109 voters in the 85+ category, the lowest; this includes 50 men and 59 women. Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu have 698 voters. Andaman and Nicobar Islands have 1,037 voters in this group.
Significantly, in this age category, women voters outnumber men both nationally and in the state. Of 81 lakh such voters in the country, 47.3 lakh or 58% are women. Men account for 33.8 lakh.
In Maharashtra, the share of women voters is almost 48% . However, in the 85+ category, it is 56% of the total voters. The state has 5.7 lakh male voters and 7.3 lakh women voters in this category.
Election officials said Maharashtra’s high registrations in the 85+ category is a reflection of longevity in the state. Also, the higher longevity of women is the reason they outnumber men in this group, they point out.
This year, Election Commission has made provisions for this age-group to be able to vote from home . “The Block Level Officer (BLO) will make a home visit to voters aged 85+ based on their names on the voter list in order to check if they want a home visit for voting. If they do, the BLO will fill form 12D,” said the state’s additional chief electoral officer Kiran Kulkani.
“The forms are submitted to the district collector or election officer. The forms which are received up to the 5th day after date of nomination for that phase of the poll, will qualify for home voting,” he added.
By contrast, election officials are concerned by low registration of first-time voters or teenage voters across the country. Only 38% of the population in the 18-19-year age category have registered to vote in the country.
Uttar Pradesh comes next with 10.4 lakh registered voters, while Bihar has 6.6 lakh and Tamil Nadu has 6.1 lakh voters in the 85+ category. The total voters in this category in India are 81 lakh.Maharashtra’s share is as high as 16%.
The lowest registrations are in the Union territories. Lakshadweep has only 109 voters in the 85+ category, the lowest; this includes 50 men and 59 women. Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu have 698 voters. Andaman and Nicobar Islands have 1,037 voters in this group.
Significantly, in this age category, women voters outnumber men both nationally and in the state. Of 81 lakh such voters in the country, 47.3 lakh or 58% are women. Men account for 33.8 lakh.
In Maharashtra, the share of women voters is almost 48% . However, in the 85+ category, it is 56% of the total voters. The state has 5.7 lakh male voters and 7.3 lakh women voters in this category.
Election officials said Maharashtra’s high registrations in the 85+ category is a reflection of longevity in the state. Also, the higher longevity of women is the reason they outnumber men in this group, they point out.
This year, Election Commission has made provisions for this age-group to be able to vote from home . “The Block Level Officer (BLO) will make a home visit to voters aged 85+ based on their names on the voter list in order to check if they want a home visit for voting. If they do, the BLO will fill form 12D,” said the state’s additional chief electoral officer Kiran Kulkani.
“The forms are submitted to the district collector or election officer. The forms which are received up to the 5th day after date of nomination for that phase of the poll, will qualify for home voting,” he added.
By contrast, election officials are concerned by low registration of first-time voters or teenage voters across the country. Only 38% of the population in the 18-19-year age category have registered to vote in the country.