The Chief Election Commissioner of India, Shri Sushil Chandra reviewed the poll preparedness for the upcoming Assembly Elections in Goa. The Commission as a part of Voter Awareness Campaign in the State launched various SVEEP initiatives today.
The Chief Election Commissioner along with Election Commissioner Shri Shri Rajiv Kumar and Shri Anup Chandra Pandey launched various SVEEP initiatives including a fusion song on ethical voting which is a mix of Rap, Jazz and traditional cultural music and a SVEEP Exhibition showcasing various voter awareness activities from the field.
The Commission also launched a folder on Assured Minimum Facilities in English and Braille; Guide for BLO on PwD appropriate behavior and Accessible Election in Braille; A special poster on EVM/VVPAT explaining how to cast a vote using EVM/VVPAT which will be placed at all crowded locations and polling booths across the State.
A video on tribute to Booth Level Officers and a song “Math Maruya Re” was also released.
The Commission in its efforts to engage with the voters also launched various contests on social media platforms including ‘Selfie with the EPIC contest’; Slogan & Song Composition contest on Ethical Voting & Cast Your Vote and a Short Film Competition on Ethical Voting. An online Poster design contest to engage with youth and get new creative ideas about the Value of every single vote was also launched. The top three entries in the above contests would be awarded with exciting cash prizes.
The Commission also launched various IT initiatives for election management developed by Chief Electoral Officer, Goa in association with the prestigious institutes in the State.
An online Course on Democracy and Electoral Management in India designed and conducted in association with Goa University. The e-course introduces the participants with the concepts of Democracy and functioning of the largest Electoral Machinery in the world; A Booth Election Management Plan (BEMP) Portal for polling officials with all relevant election related data for easy access;
A Telegram based Chatbox system – ‘Voter Dost’ designed and developed in association with IIT Goa. It is envisaged as a one stop contact point for handling common queries to assist voters in availing various electoral services, answer their queries with automated responses on various topics of election management.
Webcasting Data Analytics – this system has been designed to capture real time information from Webcasting feeds on Computer Vision Technology and will help in tracking crowding inside polling stations and counting of voters etc.
Election Commission of India also witnessed the performance presented by artists on a theme based on Election awareness.
The Commission also interacted & felicitated state SVEEP Icon Shri Tapan Acharya, Shri Taha Haziq , Shri Pradeep Naik, Sh.Pandurang Vishwanath Naik Gaonkar- freedom fighter, Shri Augustino Fernandes, Music Teacher for efforts made by the ICON’s to create awareness amongst the people and urged all to maximize their activity to create more awareness among the electoral to participate in election process.
Smt Madhugupta, a Transgender Voter of st Cruz part 33 informed that she will be voting for the first time in the forthcoming election, complemented the Election Commission to bring them in the mainstream election process.
Secretary General, Shri Umesh Sinha, Chief Electoral Officer, Shri Kunal and other senior officers from the Commission were also also present on the occassion.