The Ranchi district administration has embarked on an intensive drive to ensure the engagement of ‘Millennium Voters’ in good numbers for the upcoming general election - 2019.
With as many as 26, 956 young voters’ (18-19 years) enrolled in the electoral list, the administration has planned a series of activities to further encourage them to cast the ballot. After Palamau, the Ranchi district has the second highest number of young voters, as per the records of the Election Commission.
“Nearly in every high school including the colleges, the constitution of Electoral Literacy Club has been done. More than 35 ‘campus ambassadors’ have been identified to further sensitise the young voters’ here in the State Capital. A series of events have been planned for the youths in coordination with the respective institutions. District administration is conducting programmes at a regular gap. Two rallies was organised recently to connect with the youths,” said, Executive Magistrate, Shweta Ved.
An Electoral Literacy Club is a platform to engage youth brigades through interesting activities and practical exposures to sensitise them on their electoral rights and familiarise them with the electoral process of registration and voting.
As per the guidelines of the Election Commission of India (ECI), Electoral Literacy Clubs must be constituted at the educational institutions including at the rural communities. A list of activities which will be organised on the campus premises has been also defined by the autonomous constitutional authority responsible for administering election processes.
“Predominately, events like quiz competition, rallies, debate at the college level engaging teachers is being conducted. Besides the volunteers of the district administration and under the Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation program (SVEEP), the activities have been chalked out,” said, Ranchi District Public Relations Officer, Prabhat Shankar.
A consolidated report suggests that there are 2, 20,753 young voters - million voters in the age group 18-19 years in Jharkhand. Chief Electoral Officer – Jharkhand, L Khiangte had recently instructed the educational institution Heads to ensure the formulation of Electoral Literacy Clubs in order to increase the overall voting percentage.
“A letter has been sent to all the constituent and affiliated colleges under Ranchi University (RU) to regularly organise a voters’ sensitisation programme. Each college is organising the events, in accordance to the guidelines under the supervision of the teachers. Recently, an event was organised at Marwari College. Members of National Service Scheme (NSS) are also likely to be engaged in sensitising the young voters,” said RU Officer (PR), Dr. PK Jha.
In addition, under Voters Awareness Forums (VAFs) different programmes are being conducted. According to the Election Commission data, establishment of Electoral Literacy Club at 1,246 high schools, 141 colleges and universities across the State, creation of ‘Chunav Pathshala’ at 7,202 polling booths have been done.