New Delhi
The Election Commission of India organized a one-day orientation programme on Thursday for Media Nodal Officers and Social Media Nodal Officers from across the country. The session was held at the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM), New Delhi.
The programme aimed to strengthen coordination between election officials and media representatives, promote effective use of social media, and raise awareness about the Commission’s initiatives to ensure voter participation and transparency in the electoral process. Media officers from 28 states and 8 Union Territories attended the session.
Punjab was represented by Information and Public Relations Officer Narinder Pal Singh Jagdeo and SVEEP (Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation) Consultant Manpreet Aneja. Addressing the participants, Chief Election Commissioner of India, Gyanesh Kumar, emphasized the need for media officers to be more proactive and tech-savvy in the rapidly evolving communication landscape.
During the session, Punjab’s innovative initiatives in voter awareness were highlighted. The participants were informed about several steps taken by the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab, during the Lok Sabha elections 2024.
These included Facebook Live sessions by CEO Sibin C, real-time responses to voter queries, and a dedicated podcast series. Daily briefings, updates, and voter education messages disseminated through various media channels were also shared as best practices.
The programme served as a valuable platform for knowledge sharing, fostering collaboration, and reinforcing the role of media in strengthening democratic processes.