Women vote out men on TN poll rolls

The participation of women in electoral process in Tamil Nadu has increased with 13 lakh women getting their names enrolled as registered voters.

Chief Electoral Officer-TN Praveen Kumar told reporters, after the address of Governor K Rosaiah to mark National Voters’ Day, that of the 22 lakh newly registered voters in TN, women have outnumbered men in getting their names enrolled.

He also said that nearly six lakh voters have been added in the age group of 18-19 years. Kumar said that nearly three to four lakh voters have to be registered.

The transgender enrolment in TN has picked up by over 50 per cent. “Last year we had 1,000 transgenders enrolled and now the figure is 2,433,” the CEO said.

He said while the summary revision may have been over, it doesn’t mean the process is over. “Continous revision of new electors photo identity cards (EPIC) will go on.” He also said that voting in urban areas has dwindled when compared to rural areas. He said that the one-day voting process should not be considered as a “holiday.”

Earlier, the governor congratulated the  new voters while expressing concern over lack of participation of youth in the democratic process. “Many do not get enrolled and those who do, do not go to polling stations. We need to get over this attitude and come forward to participate in the poll process as important stakeholders of the country,” he added.