Idukki: Students of Vimala Public School in Thodupuzha recently got a first-hand experience of the democratic process as the school introduced Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) for the school council elections held last week.
The successful candidates also took oath at a formal ceremony in which Idukki Deputy Collector Arun S Nair was the chief guest.
The school council elections were conducted in accordance with the norms for general elections. The elections were declared on 21 June. Over the next few days, candidates were nominated, vetted, and withdrawn, just like in council elections. On 27 June, meetings and interviews with the candidates took place. During the interviews, the candidates announced what they would do for the school if they won, and other children had the opportunity to ask the candidates questions.
Children from grades 3 to 12 voted in the elections held on June 28. The EVM machines were built by the school’s AI (Artificial Intelligence) department. The EVM machines had the candidates’ names, symbols and voting buttons. As symbols, the school principal had a pen and a book, the sports club secretary a ball and the art club secretary a drum. Candidates were given symbols according to their positions.
During the election campaign, they went around classes with posters and placards urging people to vote and the school set aside a day for silent campaigning.
A ‘Kotikarasam’ was also held to conclude the election campaign. Votes were recorded on EVMs. Elections for the posts of school principal, committee chairperson, arts club secretary and sports club secretary were held through EVMs. Apart from this, class representatives were chosen from each class. They were elected using ballot papers. There were 13 candidates for the general post. 1,000 children voted. “This year’s student assembly elections were held with an aim to introduce the electoral process and inculcate the importance and awareness of democracy and elections in the children,” said Sister Elise, school principal.
Teacher Alex Babu worked as the coordinator for the school council elections. Teachers Rajesh, Jasiama and Geeta were present to cooperate with the sub-committee.
