Central Bureau of Communication, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Field Office Kohima held an Integrated Communication and Outreach Programme on Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) at St. Xavier College and Navodaya Vidyalaya in Jalukie Town under Peren district on 21 February 2023, a DIPR report stated.
Addressing the students as Resource Person, District Level Master Trainer, Zekope Thele said the future lies in the hands of the youth and called upon them to contribute towards nation-building by participating in the electoral process and electing responsible leaders.
He spoke on the main objective of SVEEP which is to facilitate the electorates, especially the first-time voters in the electoral process. Thele said it is a flagship programme of the Election Commission of India (ECI) with the purpose to educate, create awareness and promote voters literacy in the country.
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SVEEP is a multi-intervention programme that reaches out to every citizen about the electoral process through various modes and mediums to promote informed participation in the polling process. SVEEP is designed according to the socio-economic, cultural, and demographic profile of states as well as the history of election participation in the various states, the resource speaker added.
Resource Person, District Level Master Trainer, Zekope Thele. (Credit: @CBC_RO_Imphal/ Twitter)
A detailed presentation on the Model Code of Conduct, the polling process, and the usage of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) was given.
During the programme, young voters were apprised of the registration of votes and the alternative documents they can provide for establishing their identity in case they do not possess the Elector’s Photo Identity Card.
Stressing on the right to secrecy in voting, Thele said no one can force a person to vote for a particular candidate. Appealing to the young voters to refrain from being tempted by various inducements, he said that when they sell their votes, they are selling their rights. He cautioned the students against proxy voting and said that a proxy voter takes away the right of a particular person.
The Master Trainer also informed the students about the c-Vigil App and said they can upload any reports about violation of the MCC. Thele assured the voters that their identity will not be exposed, and they will remain anonymous, and further encouraged the young citizens to be vigilant against any misconduct.
Later, a similar programme was also organised at Navodaya Vidyalaya, Jalukie where resource person, Thele briefed the students about the electoral process of the country.
The Private Registered Troup (PRT) of the Central Bureau of Communication performed various arts as an added attraction to the programme.
