DEO intends to enroll all female students

Ahead of Lok Sabha polls, Delhi's Electoral Office intends to enroll every female student studying in women's colleges across the city.
Encouraged by the "phenomenal" voting percentage of 18-year-old women voters in the last Delhi assembly polls - recorded at 80 per cent and way ahead of overall 66 per cent, the DEO will kick start this initiative from tomorrow coinciding with International Women's Day celebration.
Under the initiative, the Commission will hold a special function in every women's college across the nine district of the national capital and hand over the voter's card to students who have already applied for it.

Besides that, those who are yet to be enrolled will be encouraged to enroll themselves.
"Officers will get the forms filled by female students and ensure that they also receive their voter cards," Delhi Chief Electoral Officer Vijay Dev said, adding that the commission will ensure that 100 per cent women students are enrolled this time.
Women electors were ahead in voting percentage in various age categories upto 50 years in the last assembly election. In 18 years category, their percentage was 80 per cent, whereas in 18 to 19 years category it was 78 per cent, he said.

"They have made us proud because they contributed to democracy much more effectively than men," Dev said.

To ensure that each student has been enrolled in every college, the Commission will collaborate with colleges and ask school principals to issue a certificate stating all of them have been enrolled, Dev said, adding that students will be asked to take pledge that they will vote in every awareness activity.
The Commission also plans to present a special award to the college which will secure the highest voting percentage in Lok Sabha Election.
There are 2.26 lakh first time voters who will cast their franchise in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. They constitute two per cent of total electors.