TO generate awareness among voters for upcoming assembly elections, the Election Commission and many voluntary or social organisations are putting their best foot forward to do it. The overall objective is to ensure 100 per cent polling. The newly enrolled youth are the main focus.
On November 2, Delhi Election Commission organised a marathon, which began from Yamuna Sports Complex in Shahdara and was flagged off Satpal Pahalwan. Former cricketer Nikhil Chopra, Chief Election Commissioner of Delhi Vijay Dev and many other officials were also present.
On November 9, a voters’ awareness rally was conducted. A group of 100 Chinese youth also joined the rally, which was organised by Sports Ministry and Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan. Similarly, on November 10, a half marathon was organised by Election Commission.
On initiative of the Election Commission of Delhi, singer Shibani Kashyap performed at a musical concert at Dilli Haat in Pitampura to educate the voters about importance of voting. Similarly, a candle light march was organised at the same evening in Janakpuri area of South West Delhi, where women participated and pledged that they would definitely cast their votes in the polls. The march began from Pankha Road and went around in various localities of Dwarka constituency.
The Election Office also conducted a voter’s motivation programme in five colleges of Delhi University in North Campus through Slogan and tagline competition. In the past elections, postal ballots often got rejected while counting, for not being filled up properly. To avoid any repeat of such incidents this year, identified nodal officers are appointed to teach the voters on filling postal ballots properly and also provided training to its officiating officers so that such votes do not get disqualified.
Another attraction in these elections is the use of NOTA. Those who do not like any candidate are being requested to use this new option available in the electronic voting machines. Though, there is mixed reaction on this option, people are being requested to reach the polling station at any cost.
Leading student organisation, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) also started a campaign “Youth for Change” to bring the youth to polling booths and cast their votes in the upcoming elections. The fact that among the total population of the city, 10 crore people are below the age of 23 and every single vote by them can make or break a government cannot be ignored.
According to Shri Saket Bahuguna of ABVP, to create a wave of enthusiasm among youth so that they can participate whole heartily in the voting process, ABVP is using a chariot loaded with light and sound system to educate, the youth for voting. About 7 to 10 documentaries will also be shown carrying the importance of elections and voting. There will be performance by rock band too.
A campaign was also carried out by ABVP activists in 60 colleges of Delhi University for three days i.e. from November 1 to 13 to educate the students about the importance of their votes. From November 15 to 17, a paper was signed by each of the volunteers of the campaign to inspire at least 100 people to vote and to bring along 10 people with him/her to the booth. From November 20 to 30 Students Conferences will be held out in front of every Vidhan Sabha all over the country.
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