Election Commission campaigns through folk theatre to sensitize voters

In a bid to elevate awareness among people for greater participation in the democratic process, members of Election Commission campaigned through folk theatre and street songs to sensitize voters in different corners of Himachal Pradesh.

The folk artists performed dances and songs in Kushala, Lagdu and Kaylu villages of Shogi and Taradevi region nearly 30 kilometers from state capital, Shimla.

The organisers of the campaign asked the residents to sign a vow to vote and also educate them about the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) being used in the General and State Elections to implement electronic voting in part from 1999 elections and in total since 2004 elections.

The members of the Commission said that the campaign was not only to encourage people to exercise their vote but also to inform them about the importance of voting in the electoral process of the country.

"We have been given the responsibility to organise this campaign by the Election Commission in order to spread voter awareness among the residents. We are trying to reach out to the people through the medium of folk theatre and songs," said organiser and programme coordinator from the Election Commission, Ram Chand Thakur.

The folk artists also said that this is the right way to educate as it addresses a crowd about their rights and added that the initiative is receiving a lot of positive attention and participation.

"This is very important as many of village residents are unaware of the importance of voting and after watching these short plays they understand the importance of their right," said a resident, Sunita.

The elders in the villages enjoyed watching the performances and they pledged to vote for a candidate of their choice.