EC ropes in banks, post offices to spread voter awareness ahead of Lok Sabha polls
Election Commission on Monday roped in banks and post offices to spread voter awareness as part of its efforts to increase voting percentage in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. The poll panel has often expressed concern over urban and youth apathy with many registered voters not turning up at the polling stations to cast ballot in the previous elections.
Over 30 crore of the 91 crore electors did not cast their ballot in the previous parliamentary polls.
The Election Commission (EC) on Monday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with two prominent organisations — the Indian Banks' Association (IBA) and the Department of Posts (DoP) — to amplify its voter outreach and awareness efforts ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
The initiative, the poll panel said, is in continuation of its efforts to enhance electoral awareness in the country.
The EC had recently signed an MoU with the Ministry of Education to formally integrate electoral literacy into the educational curriculum of the schools and colleges.
The latest initiative has been taken based on insights and knowledge gained by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar from his past roles and experience working in the financial sector, particularly in the Indian banking sector and India Post Payments Banks, the officials pointed out.
As part of the MoU, the IBA and the DoP with its members and affiliated institutions will extend support in promoting voter education through their extensive network on a pro bono without charge basis, employing various
