Lok Sabha polls: More than 2.6 lakh first-timers to cast votes

KOCHI

: More than 2.6 lakh first-time voters are on electoral rolls from Kerala for this

Lok Sabha polls

. Various programmes were organized in all districts to attract young voters into the democratic process.

“Monday was the last day to get enrolled in the voters’ list. So the exact number of first-time voters will be known only after collating information, which will be done in about five days,” said additional chief electoral officer Surendran Pillai.

More than 1,000 electoral literacy clubs are functioning in schools and colleges across Kerala to create awareness among youngsters, said P Sherli, additional CEO.

Various voter awareness activities were held as part of Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) across all districts, mostly aimed at attracting new voters. Quiz, plays, flash mobs, music and other programmes were organized in various districts, said joint CEO Jeevan Babu K.

“In Ernakulam alone, 188 electoral literacy centres are functioning in educational institutions,” said Ernakulam district collector Mohammed Y Safirulla.

Kannur district collector Mir Mohammed Ali said he was part of a 10-member adventure swimming team, formed to create voter awareness at Payyambalam beach on Sunday. It brought in more than 3,000 people to the beach to listen to the voter awareness session, he said.