Institutional initiatives for Electoral Literacy

Institutional Initiatives for Electoral Literacy

1. Whether Electoral Literacy Club (ELC) has been set up in the College?

Response to the query :

The college has an Electoral Literacy Club (ELC) to promote political awareness, civic engagement, and voter education among students. There are two teachers in charge of coordinating the club. One teacher will act as the nodal officer responsible for overseeing the club's activities, while the second teacher will serve as the mentor, providing guidance and support to the student representatives. The club includes two student representatives from all classes, ensuring a diverse representation across the college. The student representatives consist of one male and one female to promote gender equality and participation. Among the student representatives, one student will be selected as the Campus ambassador, taking on a leadership role and serving as a point of contact between the club, college administration, and other students. Having a nodal officer, mentor, and campus ambassador within the Electoral Literacy Club can enhance the club's effectiveness and ensure smooth coordination between students, teachers, and college authorities.

2. Whether students’ co-ordinator and co-ordinating faculty members are appointed by the College and whether the ELCs are functional? Whether the ELCs are representative in character?

Response to the query :

The college has an Electoral Literacy Club (ELC) to promote political awareness, civic engagement, and voter education among students. There are two teachers in charge of coordinating the club. One teacher will act as the nodal officer responsible for overseeing the club's activities, while the second teacher will serve as the mentor, providing guidance and support to the student representatives. The club includes two student representatives from all classes, ensuring a diverse representation across the college. The student representatives consist of one male and one female to promote gender equality and participation. Among the student representatives, one student will be selected as the Campus ambassador, taking on a leadership role and serving as a point of contact between the club, college administration, and other students. Having a nodal officer, mentor, and campus ambassador within the Electoral Literacy Club can enhance the club's effectiveness and ensure smooth coordination between students, teachers, and college authorities.

3. What innovative programmes and initiatives undertaken by the ELCs? These may include voluntary contribution by the students in electoral processes-participation in voter registration of students and communities where they come from, assisting district election administration in conduct of poll, voter awareness campaigns, promotion of ethical voting, enhancing participation of the under privileged sections of society especially transgender, commercial sex workers, disabled persons, senior citizens, etc.

Response to the query :

During college union elections, representatives for the student union are chosen through a presidential mode election, allowing students to vote for their preferred candidates. The Electoral Literacy Club (ELC) plays an integral role in ensuring the smooth conduct of the election procedure. ELC members actively participate in organizing "Meet the Candidate" programs, where students get the opportunity to interact with and learn about the candidates. Under the supervision of the Nodal officer, Returning officer, and ELC members, these programs are meticulously controlled to maintain fairness and transparency. Additionally, the ELC collaborates with the SVEEP Wayanad (Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation) in organizing awareness programs to promote election awareness among the general public. Through these initiatives, the college aims to foster a politically aware and engaged student body that actively participates in the democratic process.

4. Any socially relevant projects/initiatives taken by College in electoral related issues especially research projects, surveys, awareness drives, creating content, publications highlighting their contribution to advancing democratic values and participation in electoral processes, etc.

Response to the query :

The Electoral Literacy Club (ELC) of the college plays a crucial role in conducting awareness programs both within the college campus and in the surrounding community. These awareness programs are designed to educate students and the public about the importance of democratic values and active participation in electoral processes. Although the college has been actively involved in raising awareness about electoral issues, as of now, no specific research projects related to electoral processes have been undertaken. However, the college administration and the ELC continue to explore opportunities for future research initiatives in this domain. As part of their awareness drives, the college and the ELC surveyed students regarding voter registration and applying for voter ID. The survey aimed to gauge the level of voter registration among students and identify any barriers or challenges they may face in the process. Overall, the college, through the efforts of the ELC, remains committed to advancing democratic values and promoting active engagement in electoral processes. While focusing on awareness programs, the college is also open to exploring further research projects and initiatives to strengthen electoral literacy and participation among its students and the wider community.

5. Extent of students above 18 years who are yet to be enrolled as voters in the electoral roll and efforts by ELCs as well as efforts by the College to institutionalize mechanisms to register eligible students as voters.

Response to the query :

The college has made significant efforts to promote the enrollment of students as voters within its student community. All second and third-year undergraduate (UG) students and postgraduate (PG) students are usually enrolled as voters, ensuring their active participation in the electoral process. However, a minor fraction of first-year students may initially delay their enrollment as they have recently crossed the 18 years age limit. The ELC members take initiatives to help them to enroll as voters. Usually, by the end of the academic year, every student will be enrolled as a voter.