The Election Commission has decided that those above 17 years of age can now apply in advance to register as voters once they turn 18, in an effort to ensure greater participation of youth in polls.

Till recently, people turning 18 on or before January 1 of a particular year were eligible to enrol themselves on the voters’ list. Those turning 18 after January 1 had to wait for one whole year to register as voters.

Following a change in election laws, people can now register as voters on January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1 upon turning 18.

According to an EC statement on Thursday, the poll panel has directed the election machinery in the states to work out tech-enabled solutions to help those above 17 but not yet 18 to file advance applications. “Henceforth, the electoral roll will be updated every quarter and eligible youngsters can be registered in the next quarter of the year in which he or she has attained the qualifying age of 18 years.”

For the current round of annual revision of the electoral roll for 2023, any citizen attaining the age of 18 by April 1, July 1 and October 1 of that year can also submit an advance application for registration as a voter.