SHILLONG: A unique Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) initiative-the “Umbrella Campaign”, was launched by the office of the Chief Electoral Officer urging over 300 assembled youth drawn and hailing from all the 11 districts of the State and presently participating at the State Level youth exchange programme at the J. N Stadium Complex to come together under the ‘Electoral Umbrella’.
The SVEEP campaign kicked off with a voter’s pledge which was administered by the Chief Electoral Officer F. R. Kharkongor, Additional CEO T. Lyngwa and the ERO East Khasi Hills T. Marak who dwelt at length on the necessity to enroll not only for obtaining EPIC cards but for citizenship as well. Following this, all the assembled youth were brought under the Election Umbrella through a unique campaign where all the youths pledged to enroll and vote, while holding specially designed election Umbrellas as a symbol of their coming together for enrollment under one Election Umbrella as part of the SVEEP campaign.
Various youth related activities followed, which included a special dance group urging youths to enroll through flash dance and beat boxing activities, besides participation in skate boarding and other SVEEP activities including action skits with youths holding placards, depicting FORM 6, 7 & 8 for enrollment, Youth were also seen actively and enthusiastically painting on a colourful canvas and pledging to vote as part of the commitment to participate and enroll in the electoral process, within the overall theme of “No Voter to be left behind”.
Road shows through bike rallies and skate boarding to various low enrollment pockets in both urban and rural areas are being planned to be undertaken, besides initiating action skits in educational campuses are also planned – which will culminate in a mega all inclusive youth voter connect festival called “Ignite to Vote” to encourage those turning 18 and above to enroll to vote as part of the special summary revision under SVEEP.
