The Election Commission of India (ECI) has embarked on an initiative to enhance voter education and outreach in preparation for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was formalized between the ECI, the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA), and the Department of Posts (DoP) to bolster these efforts.
This significant agreement was endorsed in the presence of Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, Election Commissioner Arun Goel, Department of Posts Secretary Vineet Pandey, IBA Chief Executive Sunil Mehta, and other officials from the respective organizations.
To surpass the commendable 67.4% voter turnout achieved in the 2019 general elections, the ECI endeavors to elevate electoral participation. A considerable portion of the electorate, approximately 300 million out of 910 million, abstained from voting in 2019, motivating the Commission to strive for a 75% voter turnout in the forthcoming elections through heightened electoral awareness.
To achieve this objective, the ECI intends to extend its reach to a broader demographic through an extensive network of channels. This includes leveraging the vast infrastructure of 1.6 lakh bank branches, over 2 lakh ATMs, and 1.55 lakh post offices spread across the nation.
In a recent development, the ECI also collaborated with the Ministry of Education to formally integrate electoral literacy into the academic curriculum of schools and colleges.
Under the terms of the MoU, the IBA, and DoP, along with their associated entities, pledge to prominently display voter education messages on their digital platforms. Additionally, they will establish a Voter Awareness forum to foster discussions and initiatives related to electoral literacy among employees and customers.
Banks will further contribute to the dissemination of promotional material such as posters, flex, and hoarding, serving as vital touchpoints for election authorities to engage with voters. The Department of Posts will play its part by affixing a special cancellation stamp bearing voter education messages on postal articles.
The IBA, established on 26 September 1946, has evolved from a modest assembly of 22 members to a robust network comprising 247 members nationwide. Meanwhile, for over 150 years, the Department of Posts has remained the cornerstone of India's communication infrastructure, playing a pivotal role in the nation's social and economic progress.
