Bhubaneswar, Jan, 20: Voter awareness programmes will now begin at the school and college level. Students and youth will take responsibility for spreading awareness about voting.
Efforts will be made to create awareness among children even before they reach voting age, and these students will also help ensure that all eligible citizens above 18 years exercise their right to vote. Special focus will be given to children aged 14 to 17 years. For this purpose, a plan has been made to form Election Literacy Clubs in every school and college. Under these clubs, “Election Pathshalas” (election education centres) will also be organised.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has launched the Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) programme. Based on this, the government has instructed all District Collectors and District Education Officers in the state to form Election Literacy Clubs.
These clubs will be formed in two sections. One section will consist of future voters, including students from Class 9 to Class 12. The second section will include new voters who are already eligible and are studying in colleges. This programme will not be limited to colleges alone but will also be implemented in universities and technical institutions.
District authorities will also organise Election Pathshalas involving youth. These centres will provide assistance on voter registration and address various voter-related issues for students and the general public. Special efforts will be made to include children aged 14 to 17 who have dropped out of school. New voters aged 18 to 19 will also be included. Women, senior citizens, children below 14 who are out of school, and other marginalised groups will be brought into the programme. Special emphasis will be given to tribal areas to expand this initiative widely.
In schools, students will be trained in the voting process and the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
The programme will not be limited only to forming clubs and Pathshalas. The functioning of these clubs will be regularly reviewed by District Collectors and District Education Officers.
These clubs will organise programmes such as Election Literacy Week and National Voters’ Day. Debates, essay writing, magazine publication, school newsletters, story writing competitions, painting and poster-making competitions will be held among students. Youth Parliaments will also be organised, where discussions on the importance of voting will take place.