Mangalore: Oath aims to make students participate in compulsory and ethical voting
Students studying in various colleges in Dakshina Kannada district will take an oath that they shall exercise their voting right and also indulge in ethical voting.
The novel initiative was introduced by the Systematic Voters Education and Electoral Participation Plan (SVEEP) with an aim to make students aware of their responsibilities and hence motivate the youth to vote.
Speaking to Deccan Herald, DK Zilla Panchayat CEO and President of the DK SVEEP Committee Dr K N Vijayprakash said that SVEEP has asked the Joint Director of Collegiate Education to dispatch a circular with an oath to various educational institutions in the district.
“SVEEP is undertaking a sector specific approach. We have noted a trend that participation of youth in voting is poor. This approach shall motivate the youth and awareness will be created with Information, Education and Communication activities,” he said.
He also informed that the Deputy Director of Public Instruction, Deputy Director of PU Board, Registrar of Mangalore University and Joint Director of Collegiate Education have been directed to administer oath in institutions under their jurisdiction.
Agnes to take oath
“We have oragnised a solemn oath taking ceremony at St Agnes College, after the students finish their examinations on Wednesday,” said St Agnes Commerce Department Dean and oraganiser of the oath administering programme in the College Dr Deviprabha.
It is sad to note that people’s participation in voting was lesser in urban areas than compared to the rural areas. The efforts put in by SVEEP are truly wonderful, she said.
“We may be able to administer the oath to around 600 students on Wednesday due to examinations. However, we have planned to oragnise another oath taking ceremony on Thursday for students who miss the oath. A mime show video which has been provided by SVEEP will also be played,” she added.
Deputy Director of Public Instruction Moses Jayashekar said that awareness programmes have already been conducted in schools for students as well as parents. “We have put up banners which gives awareness on importance of exercising the voting right. We are even administering the oath to teachers who are valuing SSLC papers,” he said.
