Nashik, Nov 3 – Nashik Collector Jalaj Sharma emphasized the pivotal role of youth involvement in the voter registration process to strengthen democracy during a workshop on Election Literacy Circles (ELC) at the collectorate. He expressed confidence in witnessing positive results in the district within the next six months.
Addressing the gathering, Sharma highlighted the ongoing voter registration campaign in the district and stressed the need to increase the registration of youths. The Draft Electoral Rolls released on October 27 indicated a significant number of youths in the age groups of 18-19 and 20-29 in the district.
Sharma called for cooperation from colleges, educational institutes, coaching classes, and industrial training institutes to enhance youth voter registration. The workshop aimed to establish and promote Election Literacy Circles at the college level, encouraging the participation of principals, heads of educational institutions, and directors of coaching classes through a memorandum of understanding.
“We are engaging students in this school of democracy so that deserving students are not deprived of their right to vote. For this purpose, the participation of students is also cent per cent necessary. Students participating in this workshop will get to experience the election process closely. The services of the participating students will be used during polling and counting of votes. The principals have to register eligible students in their colleges,” said Sharma.
The workshop, jointly organized by the District Election Branch, Nashik, and Worship Earth Foundation, Pune, aimed to boost youth participation in the election process. A memorandum of understanding with 51 universities was concluded during the workshop. Colleges exhibiting excellent work in creating voter awareness and registering youths will be rewarded with a cash prize of Rs 50,000.
Deputy Collector and Upazilla Election Officer, Nashik, Dr. Shashikant Mangarule urged everyone to participate spontaneously in this significant initiative over the next six months.
