The Mizoram election office was taking a number of steps to encourage young and first time voters to exercise their franchise in the coming Lok Sabha polls, chief electoral officer (CEO) Ashish Kundra said on March 29. The CEO said that there were over 52,000 first time voters in Mizoram voters’ lists of over 7.84 lakh electorate.
Election to the lone Lok Sabha seat in the state is scheduled to be held on April 11. Kundra expressed concern over low turnout of of young voters in the polls and said a Young Voter’s Club has been set up in the state to encourage young voters to exercise their franchise.
He said “Top 25 Instagram users have been roped in as ‘brand ambassadors’ to encourage young voters to exercise franchise in the coming polls.” Those instagram users having large following would encourage and would make appeal to the youth to cast their votes and participate in the electoral process.
The CEO appealed to the media to prepare a programme like ‘Mipui aw’ or voice of the people even after the election to create awareness on the developmental projects and welfare of the people.