The Election Commission of India (ECI) organised its fifth regional conference on "Electoral Literacy Clubs and ECINET" in Ahmedabad today, focusing on strengthening electoral literacy and democratic awareness among young citizens. Addressing the gathering, CEC Shri Gyanesh Kumar said that the students of today are the torchbearers of tomorrow’s democracy. He added that Electoral Literacy Clubs across India will help strengthen the backbone of the world's oldest and largest democracy.
The earlier regional conferences on "Electoral Literacy Clubs and ECINET" were held at Patna (Bihar), Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh), Chennai (Tamil Nadu) and Margao (Goa).
Addressing the participants comprising students and teachers from schools, colleges and universities across Gujarat, CEC Shri Gyanesh Kumar described students as the future of the nation, stating that ELCs are imperative in carrying forth the understanding of electoral processes and enriching democracy. He further emphasised that engaging young citizens and securing their trust and informed participation in the electoral process is an investment in the future of democracy.
He underlined the need for students and young electors to familiarise themselves with India’s electoral system, democratic values, electoral registration, polling and counting processes, and the role and functioning of the Election Commission of India.
CEC Shri Gyanesh Kumar stated that elections in India are held strictly as per the Constitution of India, law and instructions issued by ECI and are conducted transparently under the concurrent audit of political parties, candidates or their representatives at all stages.
ELC 2.0, with the tagline "Learn Democracy. Lead Democracy.", reimagines Electoral Literacy Clubs as structured, visible and digitally-enabled platforms across schools, colleges and universities, encouraging young and first-time voters to understand and meaningfully participate in democracy. Leveraging the extensive ECINET digital platform, which provides all election-related services from roll to poll, the initiative will drive continuous, year-round electoral literacy activities through a dedicated ELC portal, building a streamlined pan-India network of ELCs.
The initiative assumes significance in view of India’s extensive educational ecosystem, comprising approximately 15 lakh schools with nearly 25 crore students and over one crore teachers. The higher education sector comprises nearly 1,500 universities and around 70,000 educational institutions, with an estimated enrolment of 4.33 crore students.
Through this extensive institutional network, ELC 2.0 seeks to promote factual and experiential electoral education, enhance awareness of India’s electoral system, and encourage young citizens to become ambassadors of informed democratic participation. The ELCs will also disseminate information on electoral registration, polling, counting, ECINET App and other key ECI initiatives.
Earlier in the day, in an interactive session with over 500 Booth Level Officers (BLOs) of Gujarat, CEC Gyanesh Kumar congratulated the BLOs for their service which resulted in smooth execution of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the Electoral Rolls in the State.
The students and the BLOs had a Question-and-Answer session with the CEC as part of the meeting. BLOs had an opportunity to clarify their doubts directly through the interaction.