School children turn EC ambassadors, ask parents to vote
CASTE-WISE BREAK-UP
Gurgaon Lok Sabha Constituency
Muslim Ahir Jat Scheduled caste Gujjar Punjabi Baniya Rajput Saini Backward Castes Pandits Migrants Others TOTAL
Number of votes (approx)
(top four candidates) No. CANDIDATE
1 2 3 4
Caste/ community
INDERJIT SINGH ZAKIR HUSSAIN SUDHA YADAV NARVIR SINGH
4.75 lakh 3.5 lakh 2 lakh 1.90 lakh 65,000 70,000 45,000 35,000 20,000 1.10 lakh 60,000 1.10 lakh 1.14 lakh lakh PARTY INC BSP BJP HJC(BL) a mark on Muslims, denting Hussain’s prospects, especially with regard to the Meo Muslims who form his core vote bank.
Little wonder then that he has begun crying foul. He has filed a complaint with the state election commission, terming the pamphlets as a deliberate AAP began circulating pamphlets depicting a photograph of a pair of spectacles (INLD symbol). One lens carried a picture of Modi while the other had one of Hussain. VOTES 278516 193652 125837 117260 PERCENTAGE 36.83% 25.61% 16.64% 15.51%
THE CONSTITUENCY HAS ABOUT 4.8 LAKH MUSLIMS WHO ARE LIKELY TO DECIDE THE WINNER OF THIS SEAT
attempt and conspiracy to confuse voters in Mewat. On Tuesday, the Gurgaon returning officer issued a show-cause notice to AAP for violating the code of conduct.
On Tuesday, Hussain, who has been relentlessly trying to convince people in Mewat that his party has no plans to support BJP, said, “All political parties have come together against us and are spreading rumours to mislead the voters in Mewat. A poster showing Modi and me together is a glaring example of unethical politics.”
CHILDREN WILL HOLD RALLIES TO SPREAD AWARENESS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF VOTING
MUMBAI: This poll season, city schools are roping in students as ambassadors of democracy. With activities to create awareness on Lok Sabha elections, schools are encouraging students to urge their families and neighbours to vote.
The school education department has asked schools to conduct debates, elocutions and rangoli competitions to increase students’ awareness on the electoral process.
Circulars asking parents to pledge to vote are being distributed, and will be submitted to the Election Commission (EC). Children will hold rallies in their neighbourhood to spread awareness on the importance of voting. “The idea is to turn children into ambassadors who encourage the society to vote and not treat polling day as a holiday,” said BB Chavan, education inspector, south zone.
Fatima Devi English High School in Malad has been conducting discussions on the topic ‘Select and Elect a Good Government’.
“The objective is to ensure our students become responsible future citizens,” said Rajesh Pandya, senior teacher at the school. Pandya said the school ensured neutrality during these activities. “We do not talk about political parties, we only talk about why every vote counts,” he said.
Bandra’s St Stanislaus is planning to reward students if both their parents vote. “We want children to urge parents to vote for a good government,” said Father Jude Fernandes, principal of the school. “We think a reward programme will motivate the community.”
However, while implementing poll awareness activities, schools need to exercise caution, according to clinical psychologist Seema Hingorrany. “When increasing political awareness, there is a danger of creating biases in students’ minds, which can lead to conflict and reflect in their personality.”
“I think it’s too early to hold poll awareness activities for students below 18,” said Anjana Prakash, principal, Hansraj Morarji School, Andheri.