BACKGROUND

In reference to the email received dated 26.10.2021 from the office of Director, Students’ Welfare, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Sector 16C, Dwarka, New Delhi informing online interaction/meeting/Discussion held under the chairmanship of CEO, Delhi on 21.10.2021 at 03:00 PM with your colleges/institutes, it is informed that Electoral Literacy Club in each institute/college is required to establish to sensitize students about electoral rights and electoral process of registration and voting through interesting activities and games. Accordingly In-Charge Students’ Welfare, Tecnia Institute of Advanced Studies complied with the directions of O/o CEO, Delhi to established Electoral Literacy Club as per provisions of Election Commission of India, ELC.

An Electoral Literacy Club is a platform to engage school students through interesting activities and hands-on experience to sensitise them on their electoral rights and familiarise them with the electoral process of registration and voting. ELCs are also present in colleges and rural communities. At ELCs, learning meets fun. Activities and Games are designed to stimulate and motivate students provoking them to think and ask questions. Through ELC, Election Commission of India aims at strengthening the culture of electoral participation among young and future voters.

INTRODUCTION

Electoral Literacy Club are being set up in the country to promote electoral literacy in all age groups of the Indian citizens through engaging and interesting activities and hands-on experience but in an apolitical, neutral and non-partisan manner. Electoral Literacy Club are especially being set up in colleges all across India targeting the new voters, (in the age- group of 18-21 years old) pursuing their graduation. The Electoral Literacy Club will have all the students from all semesters as its members.

MEMBERSHIPS

The ELCs will have 18 – 21 year olds students as its members. One can become a member by registering herself/himself at the beginning of the academic year. After registration, one is recognized as a member till the completion of her/his graduation course.

STRUCTURE

Tecnia Electoral Literacy Club was set up and coordinated by the Nodal Officer. However, BAJMC department may spearhead the activities to proceed as per its convenience for exposure.

OBJECTIVES

1. To educate the targeted populations about voter registration, electoral process and related matters through hands on experience
2. To facilitate EVM and VVPAT familiarization and education about the robustness of EVM as well as the integrity of the electoral process using EVMs;
3. To help the target audience understand the value of their vote and exercise their right to franchise in a confident, comfortable and ethical manner;
4. To harness the potential of ELC members for carrying the electoral literacy in communities;
5. To facilitate voter registration for its eligible members who are not yet registered;
6. To develop a culture of electoral participation and maximize the informed and ethical voting and follow the principle ‘Every vote counts’ and ‘No Voter to be Left Behind’.

ELC SESSIONS

Campus Ambassador(s), wherever they are appointed, will act as the Convener(s) of the ELC and will assist the Nodal Officer in discharge of their functions. Where Campus Ambassadors are not appointed, Nodal Officers and the Executive Committee may nominate interested student(s) as Convener(s). The Convener shall be responsible for:

1. Identifying and involving student members in organizing various ELC activities.
2. Conducting activities under the overall guidance of the Executive Committee and Mentor / Nodal Officer.
3. Any other task assigned by the Executive Committee and Mentor / Nodal Officer.

TERM OF OFFICE

1. The Executive Committee and Convener(s) of the Electoral Literacy Club would have tenure of 1 year extending to 2 years, from the day of assuming charge. The final decision on the term of office will lie with the Nodal Officer.
2. The representative will have to be registered as a member of the ELC.

VENUE

The venue for ELC meeting can be one of the classrooms which can be utilized after classes or any venue decided by the Executive Committee. Venue is also subject to change depending on the various activities.

ELC SESSIONS

There shall be activities based sessions. Hours / sessions earmarked for them shall range between a total of 8-10 hours in the academic year. ELC is common for all students of the college.

ACTIVITIES

This Electoral Literacy Guide Book for Colleges comprises a detailed description of activities. Executive Committee are at liberty to pick and modify the activities or even create new ones as long as they stay on the lines of voter education. Of these activities, the Wall Magazine Activity will be a monthly feature to be conducted by the clubs. Ballot Bistro and Special Registration Drive shall be a mandatory activity.

SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE AND OUTREACH

1. The ELC Executive Committee are expected to post relevant content (event announcements, updates, results, initiatives, current affairs, online/offline contests, registration drives, et al.) regularly on a dedicated Facebook page and group, YouTube Channel (live streaming of events, recorded content and related content) anchored by the Nodal Officer/Mentor (permanent) and the current committee (1 year term).
2. Additionally, the Executive Committee is expected to maintain and post relevant interactive material regularly on a dedicated Pinterest board and Instagram profile. Best judgment, absolute neutrality and discretion should be observed by the administrators while posting any content on online forum.
3. Integrate the College ELC’s Facebook and YouTube profiles with Election Commission of India’s Facebook page and official YouTube Channel (Tecnia TV).

Note: College ELC is free to leverage other online and social media platforms to broaden their reach Nodal Officer shall ensure non-partisan nature of content shared online.

MANDATORY RULES

The ELCs will be an inclusive club that must make every attempt to ensure the participation of students with disabilities.

1. The Convener shall make efforts to promote inclusion and sensitize other club members about the same.
2. The venue for all ELC activities should be on the ground floor of the college building to ensure easy access (Multipurpose Hall).
3. If a student with hearing impairment is attending the meeting, sign language interpreter should be made available for their convenience (the interpreter may be a companion that the student already has).
4. Any activity conducted in the club should not leave behind students with disabilities.
5. Students with disabilities will be fairly represented in the club.