Voting percentage in Dakshina Kannada should be more than 90%: Judge

Judge emphasizes importance of high voter turnout in Dakshina Kannada elections, urging youth to encourage others to vote.

Just like performance in Class 10 and PUC-2 examinations, the voting percentage in general and other elections in Dakshina Kannada should be more than 90%, said 1st Additional District and Sessions Judge H.S. Mallikarjuna Swamy in Mangaluru on Saturday (January 25, 2025).

Speaking at the 15th National Voters Day celebration at the Town Hall here, Mr. Swamy said in the recent general Lok Sabha elections the overall voting percentage was 66% and 35 crore people did not caste their vote. The voting percentage in Dakshina Kannada was nearly 70. “Like the way students from here excel in Class 10 and PUC-2 examinations, I want voting percentage in this district too to cross 90% in the forthcoming elections,” the Judge said.

The Judge said generally good turnout of voters is seen in rural areas than in cities. Despite all facilities , the literate urban voters are found to stay away from voting. Unless for unavoidable circumstances, voters should not turn away from voting, he said.

Deputy Commissioner M.P. Mullai Muhilan called upon the present generation to understand the importance of voting and electing a good government. Youth should not just exercise their franchise but also make their friends and others family members to caste their votes.

A marked progress has been made in country’s election system since the first general election in 1952 that had total of 17.5 crore voters. The general election in 2024, which had nearly 100 crore votes, was the largest election in world. The Election Commission of India enrols new voters and carries out electoral roll revision exercise in January, April, July and October every year. The enrolment of new voters has been made easy and it can be done by sitting in the house, Mr. Muhilan said.

Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer K. Anandh administered oath on the ocassion of Voters Day. Best electoral practices award was given to K.M. Satish K.M, K. Prashant Nayak, Mohini Kumari, Vijayalakshmi, Jayakumar Ronald Paul, Bharati, Sandhya Lata, Janani and Mohini. Some newly enrolled voters from Mangaluru City South and Mangaluru City North Assembly constituencies were called to the stage and handed over new voter cards.