SVEEP – SYSTEMATIC VOTER’S EDUCATION AND ELECTORAL PARTICIPATION

INTRODUCTION:

The Election Commission of India conducted a two-day workshop on ‘Systematic Voter’s Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) Consultation.

SVEEP came into existence in the year 2009 when the Election Commission realized the slumping in the registrations of the voters and the vast gap in attendance of the voters from the election to the election.

The footfall dangled around 55-60 percent of the total eligible voters, which left out the opinions or choices of a large population.

So, it started with the planned interventions of IEC (Information, Education, and Communication) in the Jharkhand elections of end-2009.

CONCEPT OF ‘SVEEP’:

  • The Election Commission of India initiated its flagship program, ‘SVEEP,’ to spread education and awareness among voters. It aimed to promote voter literacy in the country.
  • Their objective is to establish an inclusive and participative democracy by encouraging all eligible citizens to vote. It will enable people to use knowledge and ethics while choosing their representative.
  • The program is designed according to the socio-economic, cultural, and demographic status of the state. It also studies the pattern of the people’s participation in the previous elections to understand it from historical point of view.
  • It intends to teach civilians about the importance of voting, increase their registration and participation in the elections.

REQUIREMENTS FOR REGISTERING TO VOTE:

  • To enroll as a voter, a person must be:
  1. an Indian citizen.
  2. of 18 or above age on the qualifying date i.e., 1st January of the year of revision of electoral roll.
  3. ordinarily resident of the polling area of the constituency where he/she wants to be enrolled.
  4. not be disqualified to be enrolled as an elector.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WORKSHOP:

  • The purpose of the workshop was to examine State SVEEP plans and organize extensive discussions on the essential aspects of SVEEP to develop a comprehensive strategy for the upcoming elections.
  • The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) observed two critical stages when the interaction of the voter and the election machinery happens during enrollment and polling day. Therefore, the field team is instructed to provide voters with a seamless enrollment process and a hassle-free polling experience.
  • The workshop emphasized developing a better content strategy and distribution channels under a detailed communication plan.

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