Electoral Literacy Club (ELC)
The Electoral Literacy Clubs (ELCs) are venues for involving college students and residents of rural communities through engaging activities and practical experience to make them aware of their voting rights. It is established in all educational institutions at the request of the Election Commission of India (ECI) with the goal of educating and ensuring the participation of the youth and future voters, who are the foundation of Indian democracy. The Electoral Literacy Club (ELC) of Bhawanipur Anchalik College (BAC) is being set up to promote electoral literacy targeting the new voters (in the age group of 18–21 years old) who are pursuing their graduation and residents of rural communities through engaging and interesting activities and hands-on experience in an apolitical, neutral, and non-partisan manner. The club functions as per the mission, vision & objective mentioned below:
Mission :
1. Promote Electoral Literacy: Educate students about the electoral process, including voter registration, voting procedures, and the significance of elections in a democratic society.
2. Raise Awareness: Organize seminars, workshops, and campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of civic engagement, democracy, and responsible citizenship.
3. Encourage Voter Participation: Motivate students to exercise their right to vote by providing them with the necessary information and resources to make informed decisions during elections.
4. Foster Critical Thinking: Foster critical thinking skills among students to evaluate political candidates, parties, and policies based on merit and alignment with democratic values.
5. Promote Diversity and Inclusivity: Advocate for the inclusion of diverse voices and perspectives in the electoral process, ensuring that all students feel represented and empowered to participate.
6. Collaborate with Stakeholders: Collaborate with electoral authorities, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and other stakeholders to enhance electoral literacy and civic engagement both within the college and the wider community.
7. Encourage Leadership and Responsibility: Provide opportunities for students to take on leadership roles within the club and develop skills in organizing, communication, and advocacy, fostering a sense of responsibility towards society.
8. Monitor and Evaluate Impact: Continuously monitor and evaluate the club's activities to measure their effectiveness in achieving the goals of electoral literacy and civic engagement, making adjustments as necessary.
Vision:
To cultivate an informed and engaged student body that actively participates in the democratic process, contributing positively to society.
Objectives:
1. To educate the targeted population about voter registration, electoral process and related matters through hands on experience.
2. To cultivate a culture of voting, and uphold the values of "Every Vote Counts" and "No Voters to Be Left Behind".
3. To encourage critical thinking about issues involving voting rights, democracy, and its procedure.
4. To facilitate Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) and Voter-verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) familiarization and education about the robustness of EVM as well as the integrity of the electoral process using EVMs.
5. To enhance patriotic feelings among the students.
The club currently carries out the activities with the active participation of the following members:
1. Ms. Sanghamitra Dev Ray (Coordinator)
2. Mr. Abdul Gofur (Member)
3. Dr. Malay Kalita (Member)
4. Ms. Aliyam Das (Member)
Major Activities Carried out by the Club:
The institution has been celebrating Voters Day, Republic Day, Social Justice Day, Independence Day, and Constitution Day consecutively every year prior to establishment of Electoral Literacy Club (ELC). Following are some of the activities performed by ELC of the institution:
1. National Voters Day Celebration, 2018: In response to the letter from Director, Higher Education, Assam (Ref. DHE Letter No.K(M) EL-86/2017/9 dtd.06.12.2017.), National Voters Day was observed by Electoral Literacy Club in collaboration with IQAC-Extension Education Cell and in association with Department of Political Science, BAC on 25th January, 2018 in the college premise. An open meeting held under the chairmanship of Dr. Mukunda Sarma, Principal of the College at 12.00 noon with satisfactory attendance of students. The meeting was addressed by Taiz Uddin Ahmed and Dr. Samiran Sarma. Two students of the college also shared their views on National Voters Day. In pursuance of the programme an ICT presentation was also demonstrated. After threadbare discussion, Chairman of the meeting concluded the programme with a vote of thanks offered by Pallabi Nath, Asstt. Professor, Department of Political Science.
2. Day of Social Justice, 2018: The esteemed teachers, non-teaching staffs and students of BAC have participated actively in the programs of the celebration of World Day of Social Justice organized by the Department of Political Science in collaboration with Electoral Literacy Club on 20th February, 2018 at 11:00 AM in the college premises. The students of the college demonstrated a “Street Play on Issues of Child Labour”. The play aimed at creating awareness regarding social justice and was led by Dr. Hitesh Chandra Roy, Coordinator, Electoral Literacy Club. The facebook link of the street play is https://fb.watch/lHpguMLjaG/?mibextid=VCmRsJ
3. National Voters’ Day, 2019: Electoral Literacy Club in collaboration with Extension Education Cell and Department of Political Science have celebrated the 9th NATIONAL VOTERS’ DAY on 25th January, 2019 in the college premise attended by the esteemed teachers, non-teaching staffs and students of BAC. In connection with the programme, an awareness meeting was held on 25th January, 2019 at 12.00 noon in Room No.5. The Theme of the 9th National Voters’ Day was “NO VOTERS TO BE LEFT BEHIND”. The Awareness meeting was presided over by Taiz Uddin Ahmed and the inaugural speech was delivered by Honourable Principal Dr. Mukunda Sarma. Appointed speaker Dr. Hitesh Ch. Roy delivered a speech in the meeting using a power point presentation.
4. Day of Social Justice, 2019: The esteemed teachers, non-teaching staffs and students of BAC participated actively in the programme of the celebration of World Day of Social Justice organized by the Department of Political Science in collaboration with Electoral Literacy Club and the Extension Education Cell on 20th February, 2019 at 12.00 noon. Around 500 participants including students and teachers of the college participated in the Rally. The Rally began from college campus via Bhawanipur Satra and Bhawanipur Chawk to College campus. Secondly, a general meeting was held in the College chaired by Hon’ble Principal Dr. Mukunda Sarma. The meeting was addressed by Dr. Hitesh Ch. Roy, Dr. Pallabi Nath and Taiz Uddin Ahmed. Every speaker emphatically analyzed different dimension of social justice.
5. National Voters’ Day, 2021: ELC in collaboration with Department of Political Science have celebrated the NATIONAL VOTERS’ DAY on 25th January, 2021 in the college premise attended by the esteemed teachers, non-teaching staffs and students of BAC. In connection with the programme, an awareness meeting was held at 12.00 noon in Room No.5. The Theme of the 11th National Voters’ Day was “Making our Voters Empowered, Vigilant, Safe and Informed”. The awareness meeting was presided over by Taiz Uddin Ahmed. Inaugural speech was delivered by Honourable Principal Dr. Mukunda Sarma and Dr. Hitesh Chandra Roy, Coordinator, Electoral Literacy Club, delivered the keynote address.
6. Motivational Speech Programme: A Motivational Speech Programme was organized by BAC in association with 10BN, CRPF, Howly, Barpeta, Assam, with assistance from Electoral Literacy Club on 10th December 2021, to promote the patriotic values among the students of the college.
7. Celebration of 75th Independence Day (Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav) on 12th, 13th, 14th & 15th August, 2022: BAC celebrated and commemorated 75 years of “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav” from 12th August to 15th August, 2022. Besides, the four days colorful programme from 12 August to 15th August, 2022 as a part of “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav”, the college also organised “Har Ghar Tiranga” in a befitting manner. On 12th August 2022, the National Flag was displayed followed by Quiz competition and distribution of National Flags at 12.30 p.m. organized by Dalmia Cement Co. in collaboration with Electoral Literacy Club, IQAC, Extension Education Cell and Bhawanipur Anchalik College Student Union (BACSU) of BAC.
On 13th August, 2022 the National Flag was hoisted by Dr. Abdus Salam, Honourable Vice-Principal of the College at 8.45 a.m. followed by a cultural procession and distribution of National Flags in association with CRPF, 10BN, Howly. The procession was inaugurated by Mr. Raju Kumar Das, Associate Professor and Minati Talukdar, UDA of the college.
On 14th August, 2022 at 8.45 A.M. the National Flag was hoisted by Dr. Hitesh Chandra Roy, Coordinator, Electoral Literacy Club, followed by a Plantation Programme by Mr. Manas Kumar Chakrabarty, HoD, Department of English.
On 15th August, 2022 at 7.45 AM., National Flag was hoisted by Dr. Mukunda Sarma, Honourable Principal of the college followed by a seminar at 9.30. a.m. on the topic “Deshar Swadhinata Praptit Beer Swahid Sokolor Abadan” inaugurated by Mr. Dharanidhar Talukdar, Honourable President of Governing Body of the college. The seminar was chaired by Dr. Mukunda Sarma, Honourable Principal together with Taiz Uddin Ahmed , Associate Professor and Shah Alam Hussain, Associate Professor as resource persons in the college premise, The event was participated by a huge number of students, faculties and well wishers of the college.
8. Cultural Rally promoting the values of Freedom Struggle: During the Annual Sports Week of the College, 2023 the Department of Political Science with assistance from the Electoral Literacy Club took out a cultural rally promoting the values of Freedom struggle. The students rallied for a total distance of 3 km and promoted the values of our national freedom Struggle through various slogans.
9. Voters’ Awareness Camp: A voters’ awareness camp was organized on the college campus on 22nd December 2023, highlighting the importance of the active participation of young and new voters of the country in creating an efficient democratic process. All faculties and many students of the college participated in the event and understood their role in a democracy.
10. Poster Making Competition: On 5th April 2024, the Electoral Literacy Club and NSS Cell, Bhawanipur Anchalik College , in compliance to the Letter No. BJEL[1]18/2024/SVEEP/1136 dated 28th March, 2024 received from Office of the District Election Officer, Bajali, organized a Poster Making Competition on 5-04-2024 at 11:00 AM in the Seminar Hall (3rd Floor, Boy’s Hall) to raise voter awareness. The competition was attended by many students of the college. Three position holders of the competition were chosen for the district-level competition, out of which Ms. Deepsikha Goswami was able to secure the first position in Bajali District.