Jharkhand’s regional languages may have yet to garner the respect they deserve but the Election Commission (EC) has sensed their importance on time.
For the first time, EC has come up with advertisements narrating and appealing in local languages to the electorate to add, revise or modify their names in the electoral rolls.
Advertisements in newspapers and on radio in the hinterlands have been drafted in Santhali, Mundari, Kuduk and Nagpuri — aimed to heighten penetration and improve communication to the masses.
“We have prepared advertisements in different regional languages. In Santhal Pargana, the advertisement will be in Santhali whereas in Kolhan, it will be in Mundari. It has been planned like this. We are making this effort for the first time in the State,” said Chief Electoral Officer PK Jajoria.
The Election Commission feels Hindi and English do not have penetrating power in a State with such a large tribal population. A local touch, according to EC, may well give electoral roll revisions the necessary fillip.
Advertisements counsel electorates how, when and where they can put or make corrections in their names and addresses in the voters’ lists, what documents they need for modifications and where and before which officer they can submit their applications.
“The action is another step in the direction of voters’ education. Booth-level volunteers will popularise it among a large section of society. Our aim is to ensure more and more nominations and bring out the voters,” said Ranchi Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) Ameet Kumar.
A low voting percentage has been a problem in Jharkhand, averaging around the 50 per cent mark. In the last by-election, Hatia in 2012, it was as low as 42 per cent, a huge cause for concern. The rural electorate scores only a bit better, at 60 per cent.
EC will propel its initiative with banners, posters and other campaign materials in regional languages. “Publicity vans will also appeal to and inform voters about their rights and duties, in which local dialects are expected to have a considerable effect,” added the SDO.