Delhi poll body’s ‘Sankalp Patra’ initiative for schoolchildren to boost voter turnout

In a bid to enhance electoral participation in the upcoming general elections, the Delhi poll body has introduced the ‘Sankalp Patra’ initiative targeting schoolchildren.

The initiative involves distributing a pledge form, or ‘Sankalp Patra,’ to students, who then bring these forms home for their parents to sign, committing to vote in the elections, the poll body explained in a statement on Sunday.

This approach leverages the influential role children can play in encouraging civic engagement within their families.

Spearheaded by the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), the initiative focuses on schools under the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and the New Delhi Municipal Council.

The statement noted that the initiative has received an overwhelming response from parents across public schools.

“To date, nearly 1.6 million signed commitments have been collected, pledging participation in the upcoming elections on May 25,” the poll body announced.

Delhi CEO P Krishnamurthy praised the initiative, emphasizing the critical role of academic institutions in fostering a culture of democratic participation from a young age.

As Delhi gears up for the elections, this initiative aims to boost voter turnout and instill a sense of civic duty in students by actively involving them in the democratic process, the statement added.

The national capital’s seven Lok Sabha seats will be contested in the polls on May 25.

(With PTI inputs)