Graduates unwilling to be voters

Nizamabad: Graduates are not showing any interest to enrol as voters for the Karimnagar Graduates Constituency, which includes undivided Karimnagar, Adilabad, Nizamabad and Medak districts.

The election notification for the Member of Legislative Council from Karimnagar Graduates Constituency was released on October 1. The last date for enrolment of voters is November 6, but so far there has been no positive response from the graduates in north Telangana districts.

In the 2012 elections, there were 1.54 lakh graduates enrolled under Karimnagar graduates constituency. The term of the current MLC from graduate council P. Swamy Goud would be completed on March 29, 2019.

In view of the bifurcation of united Andhra Pradesh, the graduates’ voters list was cancelled and a notification issued for fresh enrolment of voters.

For the Graduates’ Constituency, candidates should have completed graduation three years before the release of the notification. Citizens can submit their applications (Form-18) along with a degree certificate photocopy, a colour passport size photo and attestation by a gazetted officer. The documents can be submitted at the RDO or tahsildar offices. The election officer had earlier made it clear that bulk applications would not be accepted.

Speaking to this correspondent, educationist Maraiah Goud said that educated people were not showing interest to enrol as voters for the MLC elections. “We are trying to motivate the graduates to enrol as voters through social media,” he said.

It has always been tough to identify the graduates in bulk to enrol their details for the voters list. A few enthusiastic leaders had been supplying Form-18 in apartments for the enrolment of graduate voters. It is also difficult to influence the graduates for enrolment as well as seek support in the elections.

In view of this, the contesting candidates are struggling hard for victory. Reportedly, all major political parties may back the candidates for the MLC polls.