Q1. Whether Electoral Literacy Club (ELC) has been set up in the College?

Answer: On May 17, 2022, Panchakot Mahavidyalaya inaugurated an Electoral Literacy Club on campus intending to raise awareness about the electoral democratic system of our country. Since its inception, the club has been dedicated to disseminating knowledge about the constitutional ethos and electoral democratic processes of the nation. The club comprises a three-member committee including Dr. Saptarshi Chakraborty, Principal; Ms. Rupa Mandal, Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science, coordinator; Dr. Jayanta Das from the Department of Physics as additional member.

Q2. Whether students’ co-ordinator and co-ordinating faculty members are appointed by the College and whether the ELCs are functional? Whether the ELCs are representative in character?

Answer: Since its inception, the Electoral Literacy Club of Panchakot Mahavidyalaya has remained steadfast in its mission to disseminate knowledge about the constitutional ethos and electoral democratic processes of the nation. It has organized many sessions aimed at raising awareness among students and other stakeholders about the significance of our nation's electoral system. Primarily overseen by the students and a teacher coordinator from the Political Science department, the club operates inclusively, welcoming additional members through a process of winning a voice vote at the teacher's council meeting. There are no restrictions for students to join this club. Furthermore, the Political Science department offers various add-on courses and integrates teachings on the Indian Constitution into its regular curriculum.

Q3. What innovative programmes and initiatives undertaken by the ELCs? These may include voluntary contribution by the students in electoral processes-participation in voter registration of students and communities where they come from, assisting district election administration in conduct of poll, voter awareness campaigns, promotion of ethical voting, enhancing participation of the under privileged sections of society especially transgender, commercial sex workers, disabled persons, senior citizens, etc.

Answer: The Electoral Literacy Club (ELC) of Panchakot Mahavidyalaya has orchestrated numerous awareness programs targeting both students and the local community, aiming to foster a culture of voting participation. In collaboration with the NCC unit of Panchakot Mahavidyalaya, the club organized a march to Sarbari Bazar as a part of its initiative to promote voting, drawing voluntary participation from students. Additionally, Mahavidyalaya has engaged with the local authority to bolster the awareness campaign, resulting in the district election authority organizing an awareness campaign at the Mahavidyalaya campus.

Q4. Any socially relevant projects/initiatives taken by College in electoral related issues especially research projects, surveys, awareness drives, creating content, publications highlighting their contribution to advancing democratic values and participation in electoral processes, etc.

Answer: The Electoral Literacy Club (ELC) of Panchakot Mahavidyalaya has undertaken several initiatives aimed at raising awareness among both students and the local community about the significance of elections and voting in a vibrant democracy. One such initiative involved organizing a procession at the nearby Sarbari Bazar, intended to elucidate the community on the importance of voting. Additionally, the Department of Political Science and the Department of Geography collaborated on a survey of nearby villages, seeking to discern the relationship between the socioeconomic status of voters and their awareness of the electoral process. Furthermore, the Department of Political Science published a digital collage for students, focusing on the nation's election process, intending to foster democratic values among the student body.

Q5. Extent of students above 18 years who are yet to be enrolled as voters in the electoral roll and efforts by ELCs as well as efforts by the College to institutionalize mechanisms to register eligible students as voters.

Answer: The Electoral Literacy Club (ELC) of Panchakot Mahavidyalaya has contacted the district electoral authority to organize an awareness camp for students, aiming to encourage them to enrol in the electoral roll. Responding to this request, the authority has arranged an awareness camp at the premises of Mahavidyalaya.

March

Survay