Electoral Literacy in Schools and Colleges
The participation of young citizens to vote is not just a right but an important responsibility. To ensure that the youth in the country are not only aware of their voting rights but also exercise them effectively, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has established the Electoral Literacy Clubs (ELCs) in schools and colleges.
This initiative aims to provide voter education across the country. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Education (MoE) has also helped with the initiative.
What are Electoral Literacy Clubs?
Electoral Literacy Clubs (ELCs) are platforms set up in educational institutions to interact with students through interesting activities and hands-on experiences. The primary goal is to help students know their electoral rights and to teach them with the electoral process of registration and voting.
ELCs are designed to be apolitical, neutral, and non-partisan. They function under the guidance of teachers or professors but are mainly student-driven. The ELCs are categorised based on the age group of the target audience:
- Future Voters: Students in classes IX to XII. The focus here is on preparation and awareness before they become eligible to vote.
- New Voters: Students in colleges and universities. The focus moves to actual voter registration and active participation in the democratic process.
Objectives of Electoral Literacy
The main objectives of ELC to help with electoral literacy are mentioned below:
- Knowledge: To educate students about voter registration, the electoral process, and the functioning of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
- Participation: To bring in the culture of electoral participation, ensuring that students register as voters as soon as they turn 18.
- Ethical Voting: To promote the concept of informed and ethical voting, discouraging the influence of money in elections.
Structure and Activities
In Schools
For school students, the activities are designed to be interactive rather than lecture-based. The target group is from classes IX to XII. Some activities that are conducted are board games, quizzes, debates, drawing competitions, and mock parliaments.
In Colleges
For college students, the ELC serves as a bridge to actual voting. The target group are students aged between 18 years and 21 years. Voter registration drives, mock polls using EVM demonstrations, and open forums on electoral reforms are some of the activities that are conducted.
The introduction of electoral literacy into schools and colleges is an important step towards educating students on the importance of voting. The presence of ELCs help in teaching students the electoral rights and the registration process.
FAQs on Electoral Literacy in Schools and Colleges
- What is the main objective of an Electoral Literacy Club (ELC)?
The main objective of the ELC is to teach students with the registration and voting process through engaging activities.
- Who can become a member of an ELC in a school?
In schools, students from classes IX to XII can become members of the ELC.
- Who manages the ELC in an institution?
The ELC is managed by a Nodal Officer (usually a teacher or faculty member) and an elected student Executive Committee.
- What kind of activities are conducted in ELCs?
Activities include mock polls, debates, quizzes, poster making, film screenings, and interactive games designed to teach electoral concepts.
- Does the ELC help with voter registration?
Yes, a key function of the ELC is to help eligible students fill out voter registration forms.
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