ECI to partner with Education Ministry for school voter awareness

The Election Commission of India (ECI) is set to establish a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Education Ministry in order to promote awareness about voting rights in schools, announced Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar.

The initiative aims to target students from class IX onwards, directing to educate them about the significance of voting, the electoral process, and the considerations involved. The CEC emphasised the importance of reaching out to young adults who have recently turned 18 and have become eligible voters, but may lack essential knowledge in this regard. The CEC made these remarks during an event in Delhi where actor Rajkummar Rao was appointed a national icon to spearhead voting rights awareness.

The MoU will serve as a means to incorporate understanding of voting rights into the school curriculum. The CEC highlighted that in five states alone, there are 60 lakh first-time voters. Additionally, a nationwide electoral roll revision is set to commence, excluding the five states currently in the midst of polls. Kumar urged the youth to actively engage in the electoral process, noting that participation enables a deeper appreciation for the power of democracy and the value of one’s vote.

Kumar also called upon influencers from various sectors, including the media, to amplify the message about the significance of voting and to boost voter turnout in upcoming elections. Election Commissioner, Anup Chandra Pandey, affirmed that the ECI continuously seeks innovative approaches to enhance voter participation in elections, and lauded Rao’s selection as a national icon, given his portrayal in a film based on conducting elections in challenging conditions.