Ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, which are scheduled to be held in a few months, the BJP-led central government started its campaign to woo the voters. In this series, earlier this week, the central government launched a national campaign to encourage first-time voters to exercise their franchise and make the poll process more participative.
As per the Election Commission of India, there are around 1.85 crore voters between the age of 18 and 19. As first-time voters, they had a crucial role to play in the upcoming Lok Sabha election, and the saffron party understands that. It prompted the BJP to launch the campaign to lure these first-time voters. Not only this, but the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Union Education Ministry also came together for the campaign.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said he has directed all higher education institutions in the country to conduct voter awareness activities on their campuses from February 28 to March 6. The voter awarenessrelated activities will be conducted in designated spaces on campuses.
He added, “The voter awareness activities will include both on-ground events and online competitions. It will enlighten young voters about the importance of their vote and encourage them to come out and exercise their franchise in large numbers for the national good.” The Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting said, “As the nation gears up for its biggest festival of democracy, I urge all of you to join the #Mera Pehla VoteDeshKe Liye campaign.”
He further said a jingle called “Banega Desh Mahan, Jab Vote Karenge Hum” aimed at reaching out to 1.85 crore first-time voters in the country. He added, Let’s take the campaign forward in our own ways and styles. “Let’s embrace this responsibility and celebrate the power of our collective voices online and in the colleges!” said the I&B minister in his post.
Not only this Prime Minister Narendra Modi also shared a post on his social media account X (formally Twitter) to encourage first-time voters. He wrote, “Let us make our electoral process even more participative. I call upon people from all walks of life to spread the message, in their own style, among first-time voters.”