Jaipur, Oct 8 (IANS): State Election Commissioner of Rajasthan Rajeshwar Singh has directed that candidate orientation programmes be organised at the Panchayat Samiti level on October 10 in view of the upcoming elections for Panchayati Raj institutions.
He said the programmes should provide prospective candidates with comprehensive information about the election process, including the nomination procedure, eligibility criteria, documents required, precautions to be taken while filing nominations, and the circumstances under which a nomination paper may be rejected.
The objective is to ensure that candidates are able to file their nominations correctly and with complete information.
Singh was presiding over a video conference on voter awareness held on Thursday at the auditorium of the State Election Commission.
During the meeting, the State Election Commissioner reviewed SVEEP (Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation) activities conducted during the Urban Local Body general elections and assessed the voter awareness activities planned for the upcoming Panchayati Raj elections.
He also interacted with student ‘Campus Ambassadors’ from Voter Literacy Clubs to learn about the SVEEP activities undertaken by them.
Singh directed officials to organise a range of voter awareness initiatives, including ‘Ek Shaam Loktantra Ke Naam’ (An Evening Dedicated to Democracy), ‘Ek Ped Loktantra Ke Naam’ (A Tree for Democracy), ‘Ek Deep Loktantra Ke Naam’ (A Lamp for Democracy), and ‘Ek Khel Loktantra Ke Naam’ (A Sport for Democracy).
He also instructed officials to establish model polling stations equipped with voter message boards and to organize street plays (nukkad nataks), election chaupals (community gatherings), and interactive sessions with young and women voters.
The State Election Commissioner directed that at least one ‘Green and Clean’ polling booth be established in every Panchayat Samiti area. He further emphasized organizing activities such as Mehendi competitions, motorcycle and bicycle rallies, ‘Satrangi Saptah’ (Seven-Colored Week), marathons, and voter quizzes.
He noted that the Gram Panchayat is a vital unit of rural local governance and that approximately 155,000 public representatives are to be elected in these polls. Sarpanchs and other elected representatives are directly connected with villagers and play an important role in addressing local needs and implementing development works in villages.
Therefore, in Panchayati Raj elections, it is essential that not only voters but also prospective candidates have accurate and comprehensive information about the election process and applicable rules, Singh Said.
Rajeshwar Singh said large-scale voter awareness activities should be undertaken to ensure maximum participation in the general elections for Panchayati Raj institutions. He particularly emphasized the need to increase awareness among youth, women, and first-time voters.
At the beginning of the video conference, Rajesh Verma, Chief Electoral Officer of the State Election Commission, delivered the welcome address. Chief Executive Officers, principals of government colleges, ELC nodal officers from colleges, and Campus Ambassadors participated in the video conference.
