Chief Electoral Officer, (CEO) Union Territories of J&K, and Ladakh Shailendra Kumar today launched the campaign to rope in the private educational institutions in electoral awareness by encouraging the management to establish Electoral Literacy Clubs on the pattern of government schools- comprising students of secondary and higher secondary classes – termed as the future voters.The first ELC was established in the Lawrence Public School Panjthirthi at its annual day function, where the CEO was the chief guest and Mission Director, NHM, J&K, Bhupinder Singh was the guest of honour.In his address, Shailendra Kumar highlighted the aim of ELC and said that the establishment of these electoral literacy clubs has already been started in government schools across UTs of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh as per the Election Commission of India (ECI) guidelines. He said henceforth the private schools will also be involved in the campaign.“There are 4,300 High and Higher Secondary Schools, including 1,779 in private sector in the UTs of J&K and Ladakh.
So far, we have established 654 ELCs in government institutions, while in private educational institution we are establishing the ELC for the first time, he added.He said the objective of setting up Electoral Literacy Clubs in all high/higher secondary School and colleges is to achieve 100 percent registration of future and new electorates and make them realize the importance of their vote for evolving a vibrant democracy in the Country.Earlier, the programme started with the lighting of the traditional lamp by the chief guest and other dignitaries, which was followed by a colorful cultural programme presented by the students of the school.Shakuntla Joshi, student of the year award and Shakuntla Joshi Teacher of the year award, were also announced on the occasion.Among others present on the occasion were former IG Police, Johny William, Former Supdt. Ayurvedic College, Dr Taran Singh, President, ABRSS, Sohan Ullas, senior Journalist, Sohail Qazmi, Principals of various schools, parents and a large number students.