District Election Officer, Bathinda interacts with students during Voter’s Education and Awareness Programme held at Central University of Punjab

Bathinda, May 9, 2024: In a bid to foster informed participation in the democratic process, the Electoral Literacy Club at Central University of Punjab hosted an Interactive Session on Voter Education with Jaspreet Singh, Deputy Commissioner Bathinda and District Election Officer, Bathinda. 

The Programme organized under the patronage of Vice-Chancellor Prof. Raghavendra P. Tiwari was aimed to bolster informed participation in democracy. More than 250 participants encompassing faculty, officers, staff members and students of the university and eminent personalities of Village Ghudda enthusiastically attended this programme.

During this session, the Chief Guest Jaspreet Singh, District Election Officer and Deputy Commissioner, Bathinda emphasized the pivotal role of voters in the world's largest democracy. In participatory democracy, it's crucial for everyone to vote wisely. People need to change how they see voting, understanding its importance in shaping our country's future.

The lecture spearheaded by Jaspreet Singh sought to address various facets of the electoral process, including voter registration, the significance of voting, electoral laws, and the role of citizens in ensuring free and fair elections. He stated that the Election Commission of India, in its mandate to ensure free and fair elections in India, is conducting elections through Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) on polling booths. Besides this, ECI also provides an option to cast vote-from-home facility for those who cannot visit polling stations due to age or other reasons and an option of Voting through postal ballot papers for voters on election duty.

Jaspreet Singh elaborated the initiatives taken by District Election Office, Bathinda under Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) to educate citizens, electors and voters about the electoral process in order to increase their awareness and participation.

Speaking passionately about the importance of active citizenship, Jaspreet Singh underscored the pivotal role voters play in shaping the destiny of their nation. Emphasizing the need for voter awareness and participation, he encouraged first time voters and youngsters to participate in the largest festival of democracy by casting vote in Lok Sabha 2024 Elections.

In his presidential address, Prof. Raghavendra P. Tiwari, the Vice-Chancellor, mentioned that voting is an important component of our democracy as it is our right as well as our duty to choose our government. We need to exercise this right with responsibility and diligence to make informed choices.

After the interaction session, students from Performing Arts and Theatre Department showcased a Laghu Natak- Gantantar Ka Mahaprav directed by Dr. Kuleen Kumar Joshi and Dr. Adish Kumar Verma. Dr. Vijay Sharma, Registrar; Prof. R.k. Wusirika, Dean Incharge Academics and other dignitaries of university also attended this programme.

The program commenced with the welcome address by Prof. Bawa Singh, Nodal Officer, ELC. Thereafter, Dr. Neelu Rawat, Nodal Officer, ELC, introduced the Keynote Speaker. Towards the end, Dr. Sandeep Singh proposed a formal vote of thanks.