The total number of voters for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections has gone up by 84.3 million since the 2014 polls, chief election commissioner Sunil Arora said on Sunday.
The new voters have taken the total number of voters to 900 million since 2014, he said, adding that around 15 million are in the age group of 18-19 years.
These voters are expected to play a significant role in the elections to the Lok Sabha and assemblies of some states that is to be held.
Both the ruling BJP and Congress, and other parties are hoping that their votes will bring them to power, and have been raising issues, such as employment and reservation.
More than 150 million first-time voters played an important role in bringing the BJP to power in the 2014 elections.
President Ram Nath Kovind had on the eve of Republic Day gave a clarion call to the people to perform the “sacred act” of voting, emphasising this year’s polls should be seen as a “once-in-a-century moment” that will shape the India of the remainder of the 21st century.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi too has urged new voters to register and cast their ballots in the coming Lok Sabha polls.
“An opportunity has come for them to take the responsibility of the nation on their shoulders. They are now going to become a partner in the decision-making process of the country. I urge the youth to register themselves as voters.”
The election commission has been conducting campaigns in several states to ensure maximum turnout in the polls.
The poll panel has asked people not to believe in fake news about deletion of names from voters’ list.
In the new electoral list, women outnumber men in a number of states like Tamil Nadu, Mizoram and Meghalaya.
