Colleges Should Take Initiative For Voter Registration Of Students For Upcoming Elections: District Collector Diwase

Pune, 6th September 2024: For the strengthening of democracy, it is necessary to increase the participation of the youth in the election process. Collector Dr Suhas Diwase stated that all the colleges and educational institutions should take the initiative of voter registration of 100 per cent of the eligible students.

He was speaking at the launch of the training session for college coordination officers and goodwill ambassadors, organized by the SVEEP (Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation) Management Cell. On this occasion, Minal Kalaskar, Dy. DEO, Election Branch, Archana Tambe, Deputy Collector, and SVEEP Coordinator, Sharad Gavhale, Khadakwasla Constituency SVEEP Coordinator, etc. were present. The program was attended by more than 200 college coordinating officers along with ambassadors.

Diwase said that the district election administration is constantly trying to increase the participation of youth in the election process. There has been an increase in the registration of new voters in the age group of 18-29 years in the district in the final voter list released under the Election Commission of India’s special brief revision program.

However, the names of students who are not yet registered in the electoral roll of the college must be registered. Accordingly, colleges should organize various activities for voting and election awareness. Diwase stated that coordinating officers need to maintain communication and coordination with the students to guide them further on the topic or for any further doubt.

Youths are the future of India and they have a great responsibility in the Indian democratic process. Diwase informed that efforts should be made to remove the apathy of the youth in voter registration and make them participate in the voting process. Colleges have done a good job by organizing various programs related to voter registration, and election awareness during Lok Sabha general elections. He appealed to cooperate during the upcoming assembly general elections as well.

Kalskar said that Pune is the hub of education and a large number of students from all over the state come to Pune for education. She requested to register the names of these students in the voter list to participate in the voting process. At the time of the election, voters should be given information about the voting station. Kalskar also said that senior citizens along with women should get the necessary help at the time of voting.

Archana Tambe informed that in the background of the upcoming assembly general elections, coordinating officers should organize voting and election awareness programs constituency-wise. She further advised to use the portal https://voters.eci.gov.in/ or the Helpline app for any queries. Tambe stated that the three colleges to organize the most voting and election awareness activities will be honored on behalf of the Collectorate.

Sharad Gavhale gave information about voting awareness and the activities organized for it. On this occasion, Archana Tambe gave information about the various applications (apps) of the Election Commission and their use through a presentation. She also informed about the measures taken at the polling stations for the voters.

The 12 forts of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj have been proposed for World Heritage nomination under the ‘Maratha Military Landscapes’. This includes the forts of Shivneri, Lohgad, and Rajgad in the district. Collector informed on this occasion that students should send their ideas and suggestions to the email address “[email protected]” of the Department of Archeology for the promotion of these forts.