TN looks to maintain high turnout record

Chennai: Observers say that turnout in Tamil Nadu polls has been increasing in the last few elections as the process of voting has been facilitated by technology, better access and improved law and order situation. New and younger voters coming in also means a more educated population aware of their voting rights and duties. This election may prove if the trend of high turnout is here to stay in the state.
This time the Election Commission is hoping to beat the 78% record set in 2011 and initiated several steps to draw out voters on polling day on Monday. Voter apathy has been high in the past, especially in Egmore, Harbour and Mylapore constituencies in Chennai, where turnout was less than 50% in all elections.
Even before EVMs were introduced in the state, the voter turnout in Tamil Nadu used to be around 50% to 60%, but in the last few assembly and Lok Sabha elections, the turnout has crossed 60% unlike in Bihar or Uttar Pradesh where the turnout hovered around 50%.
"Law and order in Tamil Nadu has been more or less normal though on polling day in some constituencies like Saidapet, booth capturing used to take place. A peaceful atmosphere has meant that TN elections can be completed in one day," former chief election commissioner N Gopalaswami told TOI.
Apart from better law and order, high awareness among first time voters in the age group of 18 and 24 has led to better enrolment.
"In the last few years, we have better registration by young voters. Based on the Census, EC tries to bridge the gap between people in the age group and voters. This year EC has taken several steps to register their names, even going to their colleges," said Gopalaswami.
Social media has also influenced many youngsters and their families to vote. "Studies have shown persuasiveness has yielded desired results in the US, Canada and the UK. Thus if I have a post stating I voted today, my friends will like my post and also vote. This is what we expect to happen in Tamil Nadu also," said Facebook director-public policy Ankhi Das told TOI.
Asked whether Facebook has been involved in such public service initiatives, Das said: "We have alerted people soon after the Kolkata bridge collapse. We asked them to keep away from the affected area and also uploaded a map stating the areas affected. This way many people stayed away from the area."