Thousands of voters may be deprived of their right to vote during the ensuing parliamentary election notwithstanding intense drive on part of the District Administration to push up voting percentage in city. This is so as many of the registered voters would be at their working places, mostly developed cities like Pune, Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Hyderabad, and they would not be in a position to be present on the day of voting. In this regard, Hukumchand Mishrikotkar, a senior citizen, has approached District Collector Dr Vipin Itankar, who is also Returning Officer for Nagpur Parliamentary Constituency, and appealed for devising some formula so that voters who are registered here but working or studying in other cities can exercise their franchise.

 

Talking to ‘The Hitavada’ Mishrikotkar further said it was well-known that many youths from the city were pursuing higher education in other cities. Such voters, he said were worried that due to pressing engagements and other logistics’ issue, may not be able to make it to their native place on the voting day. He said, during the peak period, travel companies also jack-up fares on Pune-Nagpur route, which is a financial disincentive for the would-be voters. The senior citizen's plight is shared by many families, whose wards are finding it difficult to make it to the city, it's votes in first phase on April 19, for casting their votes. Mishrikotkar said Election Commission of India should examine the issue threadbare and ensure some mechanism is worked out to ensure such outstation voters can cast their votes.