ECI collaborates with IBA, DoP to increase voter participation in elections

New Delhi, Feb 26: Amidst concerns over electoral abstention, where 30 crore out of 91 crore eligible voters refrained from voting in the general election to Lok Sabha 2019, the Election Commission of India (ECI) is intensifying efforts to boost voter engagement and participation, aiming for the forthcoming General Elections to Lok Sabha 2024.

ECI has partnered with the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) and the Department of Posts (DoP) to bolster voter outreach and awareness. This collaborative initiative signifies a step towards empowering citizens with knowledge about their electoral rights and responsibilities, aiming to foster a culture of informed and active participation in the electoral process.

Building upon ECI's ongoing efforts to enhance electoral literacy, the Commission recently formalized an MoU with the Ministry of Education to integrate electoral literacy into the educational curriculum.

Under the MoU, IBA and DoP, along with their extensive networks comprising 247 member institutions nationwide and over 1,55,000 post offices respectively, will extend pro-bono support to promote voter education. Key components of the initiative include:

• Prominent display of voter education messages on member institutions' websites.
• Dissemination of voter education content through social media platforms and customer outreach channels.
• Placement of voter education messages in the form of posters, banners, and hoardings at office premises and major locations.
• Establishment of Voter Awareness Fora to facilitate discussions and initiatives related to voter education.
• Integration of voter education training modules into regular orientation programs for employees.

Moreover, the Department of Posts will implement a special cancellation stamp bearing voter education messages on postal articles, further amplifying voter awareness efforts.