In an inspiring move to involve and empower the youth in the democratic process, the school education department of Maharashtra has launched an ambitious voter registration program for eligible students in classes IX to XII. This initiative aims to register students on the voter list, accompanied by a range of awareness activities set to be put into action.
As part of the 2024 program, the Election Commission of India conducts an annual special brief revision program to update the voter list by registering new voters who will reach the age of 18 by January 1, 2024. To accomplish this mission, the Additional Chief Secretary and the Chief Electoral Officer have entrusted the responsibility of registering students as voters to the state’s secondary and higher secondary schools.
Under the special brief revision program, students in classes IX to XII across the state will be informed about the “Special Brief Revision Program 2024” by the Electoral Literacy Club. This club will guide students who are turning 18 between October 17, 2023, and November 30, 2023, as well as those who will reach 18 years of age by January 1, 2024, to complete the registration form as new voters. Furthermore, students who will attain the voting age by October 1, 2024, are encouraged to submit advance applications for new voter registration.
In addition to these efforts, election literacy boot camps and various online competitions will be conducted to enhance public awareness. EM Kazi, Joint Secretary of the School Education Department, emphasized the importance of organizing online quiz competitions in schools to promote awareness and encourage new voter registration.
The process involves schools obtaining the necessary application forms from the local Voter Registration Officer’s Office or Tehsil Office. These forms will be made available to students in the school, and schools have been directed to collect the registration applications submitted by students and forward them to the respective Voter Registration Officer’s office. This initiative seeks to ensure that the next generation is actively engaged in the democratic process and exercises their right to vote when they come of age.
