LS polls: The number of voters from the armed forces and similar services is steadily increasing

The number of voters from the armed forces and other similar services has increased.

These voters are often unable to cast their votes in the regular manner because they are not at their primary residence because they have been posted elsewhere. They have been given the option to vote by proxy or postal ballot if they choose not to register as a general voter at the place where they are posted, if the duration is sufficient. Attendance and enrollment figures have grown over the past decade.

The figure for 2019 was up by more than 30 percent compared to 2014. Turnout among voters in the service sector had increased from 4 percent in 2014 to more than 60 percent in 2019. The turnout represents the share of those who actually voted. Available data from key states for the first two phases suggests that the number of registered voters so far is around 600,000, or a third of the total number in all of 2019 (Graph 1).

A person who is a member of the Union Armed Forces, the Armed Police Force of a State, or serving under the Government of India is a service voter, according to the Election Commission of India (ECI). The Electronically Transmitted Postal Voting System (ETPBS) was introduced by the ECI in the previous general elections to reduce time and errors. According to the constitutional body, this led to an increase in turnout from 4 percent in 2014 to 60.14 percent in 2019.

Most service voters come from a handful of states. The top seven account for more than 50 percent of the share. Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Punjab are among the top states with the highest number of voters in the service (Graph 2).

First print: May 07, 2024 | 12:23 pm IST