Bhubaneswar: The
Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday entered to an agreement with
National Literacy Mission Authority (NLMA) for incorporating Electoral Literacy
as one of the components in Sakhyara Bharat – a flagship programme of adult
educations.
Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday entered to an agreement with
National Literacy Mission Authority (NLMA) for incorporating Electoral Literacy
as one of the components in Sakhyara Bharat – a flagship programme of adult
educations.
The programme targeted 365 districts of 26 states including
Odisha, having low female literacy rate of 50% or less as per census 2011.
Besides, the programme will be targeting another 45 districts affected by
extremist violence, taking the total targeted districts to 410. This was
disclosed by the NLMA Joint Director, AM Rajasekhar while presenting a
consultation paper in National Consultation on Women participation in Electoral
process in Bhubaneswar.
Odisha, having low female literacy rate of 50% or less as per census 2011.
Besides, the programme will be targeting another 45 districts affected by
extremist violence, taking the total targeted districts to 410. This was
disclosed by the NLMA Joint Director, AM Rajasekhar while presenting a
consultation paper in National Consultation on Women participation in Electoral
process in Bhubaneswar.
“Under the new arrangement, the NLMA will extend
assistance to the electoral registration officers and the booth-level officers
to identify and enrol eligible women voters residing in the polling station
area,” he said.
assistance to the electoral registration officers and the booth-level officers
to identify and enrol eligible women voters residing in the polling station
area,” he said.
The NLMA will also include electoral literacy in its
curriculum for adult literacy and basic education.
curriculum for adult literacy and basic education.
EC would provide technical guidance and assistance in
designing activities and content related to electoral literacy. The NLMA has
designed an Inter-Personal Media Campaign with electoral literacy as one of the
themes, he said.
designing activities and content related to electoral literacy. The NLMA has
designed an Inter-Personal Media Campaign with electoral literacy as one of the
themes, he said.
Rajasekhar said a pilot programme on electoral literacy
campaign was started in Rajasthan and followed by similar programmes in Madhya
Pradesh, Jharkhand and Chhattishgarh.
campaign was started in Rajasthan and followed by similar programmes in Madhya
Pradesh, Jharkhand and Chhattishgarh.
Based on how successful it is, the programme would be
replicated in other targeted districts, he said.
replicated in other targeted districts, he said.
In his valedictory address Election Commissioner, Dr. Nasim
Zaidi said the ECI will do everything to attract women’s voters to booths and
looking forward for innovative suggestions for electoral literacy programme
from various stakeholders.
Zaidi said the ECI will do everything to attract women’s voters to booths and
looking forward for innovative suggestions for electoral literacy programme
from various stakeholders.
“Neutrality of EC will be maintained during revision of
voters list and enrolment of women in the polling process,” he said.
voters list and enrolment of women in the polling process,” he said.