After completion of State Assembly elections, the electoral winds have started blowing in Graduate constituency. As it is it’s wont, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is moving with focussed approach while Congress is still celebrating its victory.

 

BJP will bank on Prof Anil Sole who had won last election. Congress camp is not able to decide its candidate yet. Dr Baban Taywade who contested for four times has decided not to contest this time. According to highly placed sources two names from the party are doing rounds. They include Kishor Gajbhiye who stood second ahead of Dr Taywade in last election and another name is of Adv Abhijeet Wanjari.

 

Dr Taywade while talking to ‘The Hitavada’ made it clear, he would not contest election this time. “Now, I feel, youngsters should be given a chance. I have contested for four times. I would be available for those who would contest, to guide them.”

 

Adv Abhijeet Wanjari said, “I am not aware that I would be fielded but given a chance I can prove myself.” Adv Wanjari is a well-known name in graduates and university circle. He himself is an educationist and sober face of this segment. According to some senior leaders, Adv Wanjari who has transformed himself learning from senate election can pose a great challenge for Prof Sole.

 

Prof Anil Sole claimed his works in last five years would pave way to his second win in the constituency which was built up by late Gangadharrao Fadnavis, Nitin Gadkari. “I was in touch with graduates throughout these years. I resolved every single issue brought to me by graduates. I fought on street, on the floor of State Council for the issues of graduates. Worked hard to provide boost to skill development, job placement. For the last several years I have been conducting the activity of Youth Empowerment Summit through which several thousand youngsters got the job. I have been running the activity consistently,” explained Prof Sole.

 

 

The most tedious part of this election is voters’ re-registration. The list that was prepared in last election was abolished. The election authorities had cancelled all previous voter registrations for the graduate constituency and had sought new registrations. Norms make it clear the electoral rolls for the graduates’ constituency should be new before elections every time. Even though the names of the voters are present in the electoral rolls, everybody needs to submit fresh applications. Now, graduates have to register again where they would submit their photocopies of degree certificate, Aadhar and photo. Females have to submit additional document of marriage certificate if they are married. Many graduates expressed displeasure over this development. They have demanded not to make everybody mandatory the re-registration.

 

Many told ‘The Hitavada’ they would not go for registration because its utility value is zero. Many reacted there was no need for re-registering for the graduates. Those who are in the existing list should be exempted from the registration process.

 

 

While the voter registration process for graduates’ constituency poll is on till November 6, several organisations have requested the competent authorities to extend the deadline. Stating that the Government machinery, as well as the party workers, are busy with Assembly poll-related works, the candidates have sought more time. Delegations have submitted memorandums to the Divisional Commissioner Dr Sanjeev Kumar with the demand of extension of date of enrollment of voters.

 

The notification for enrollment was published on October 1. The list of voters, which has about 2.87 lakh voters has been rendered invalid, even when it should be valid till July 20, 2020, they are required to enroll again. With the Assembly elections procedure completing on October 24, the workers could not enroll voters, which are about 5 lakh. They will be deprived of their right to vote. There is a growing demand of extending the last date of enrollment.

 

Many were busy in the State Assembly election process. Immediately after the election process is over, Diwali celebrations began and people went on leave. The authorities should take all the aspects into account, demanded people.

 

Save Merit Save Nation (SMSN) has urged all graduates to get registered as voter by November 5 for State Graduates constituency elections to be held in 2020.

 

As part of their sensitisation campaign, Save Merit Save Nation has implored all graduates to get registered as voters for the forthcoming elections of Graduates constituency next year.Every person who is a citizen of India and — for at least three years before November 1 — has been a graduate of a university is eligible to be included in the electoral roll. The period of three years is to be computed from the date on which the results of qualifying degree examination were declared and published by the university or any other authority concerned.

 

All graduates have to download the form from Save Merit Save Nation fb group and fill in requisite details and submit the same at respective tehsil office along with one recent photocopy of Aadhar, Copy of Degree/mark sheet prior to Nov. 2016 and Marriage Certificate/Name change Gazette for married woman or PAN card or Passport copy with husband name.