THE GOAN NETWORK
PANAJI
Realising the limitations of reaching out to people in person to educate them on their democratic rights of casting the ballot, this time even the office of the Chief Electoral Officer in Goa has opted for various digital modes as part of the voters’ awareness campaign.
Speaking to The Goan, Chief Electoral Officer Kunal (IAS) stated that in the pandemic-stricken State, people are afraid to come out of their homes, and hence we have adopted an innovative method of interacting with the voters and mitigating their fears to come out in large numbers to vote on February 14.
Three State election icons are chosen by CEO this year, actor, writer, producer Tapan Acharya, Fado singer Sonia Shirsat and bureaucrat Taha Haaziq, along with 25 district icons from North and South Goa.
In the past one month, the CEO office has released 100 videos for Goan voters and posted on various channels for young voters who are disillusioned, to participate in the process of democracy and come out of their homes to cast their vote.
These 25 icons are popular faces and celebrities from all walks of life, whom people know and trust. They have created 25 videos and shared on YouTube and other social media platforms, educating the voters and creating awareness
“Voters’ participation in the democratic process is important and the entire CEO machinery has been working with the help of brand ambassadors to eliminate the fear from the minds of the people. We have not only created songs and jingles, but organised various competitions for the public as a part of our reaching out initiative. We have tried to give a festive look to the election process. Organising contests and inviting people to participate in them, winning prizes will act like a warming up exercise for them, which will help them to come out on the D Day and vote,” stated Kunal who also expressed his joy over the public participation in the contests.
“We could see on our social handles how people are responding and sending out good vibes. They are also commenting on various issues and the way we are functioning. It’s a positive change,” said the IAS officer who also elaborated on various eco-friendly measures that have been embraced by the CEO this time. “We are making the election process nature friendly by giving out the message, ‘Say no to plastic’. Hence, we are using eco-friendly materials,” he said.
The YouTube channel ‘Goa Votes’ has all the videos. Using digital media for awareness was a part of the last election too, but this year the CEO has taken it to the next level by adding multiple educative and entertainment events, quizzes, contests to keep the festive mood alive till the day of the ballot. The CEO has also appointed 180 nodal officers across colleges in Goa, to organise competitions and events across the State. The CEO has also conducted 12 State-level competitions for people of all ages and attractive prizes will be distributed to the winners.
CEO Goa is conducting a ‘Fit Goa Vote Goa’ event as part of voter awareness combined with fitness on February 13, and citizens are invited to participate in fitness activities like walking, running, cycling etc. The clubs in Goa would coordinate with the office of the CEO to collect sports jerseys and badges to distribute them to their members participating in the event.
Before the start of the session, the participants will have to wear the jersey provided by CEO and wear the badge provided and undertake to take the voters’ pledge. The clubs and participants would be sharing their images on social media. There will be various contests for the participants too, with the winners getting prizes for best selfie (single) and best couple selfie.
