In contrast, Union territories show considerably lower registrations in this category, with Lakshadweep reporting the lowest at only 109 voters aged 85 and above. Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu account for 698 voters, while Andaman and Nicobar Islands have 1,037 voters in this group.
Women outnumber men in the 85 and above age category both nationally and within Maharashtra. Of the 81 lakh voters in this group nationwide, 58% are women, with men accounting for 42%. In Maharashtra, although the overall share of women voters is around 48%, they make up 56% of the total voters aged 85 and above.
Election officials attribute Maharashtra’s high registration in the 85 and above category to the state’s longevity trends, with women typically outliving men.
This year, the Election Commission has introduced provisions for voters in this age group to cast their votes from home, streamlining the process to accommodate their needs.
“The Block Level Officer (BLO) will make a home visit to voters aged 85+ based on their names on the voter list in order to check if they want a home visit for voting. If they do, the BLO will fill form 12D,” said the state’s additional chief electoral officer Kiran Kulkarni as quoted by TOI.”The forms are submitted to the district collector or election officer. The forms which are received up to the 5th day after the date of nomination for that phase of the poll, will qualify for home voting,” he added.Addressing concerns about low registration among first-time voters or teenagers, officials note that only 38% of the population in the 18-19-year age category have registered to vote nationwide.
Inputs from TOI
