Srinagar, Mar 27: On the directions of the District Election Officer (DEO) Srinagar, a debate competition on Voters Awareness under the banner of Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) was on Wednesday organised at Government College for Women Nawakadal, here to sensitize students about the significance of participation in electoral process.

Additional Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Dr. Khalid Hussain Malik; Principal of the College, Prof. Dr. Mohammed Farooq Mir and Chief Education Officer Srinagar/Nodal Officer SVEEP, Ab Hamid Fani; Officers of District Election Authority, staff of the College and other concerned were present in the event.

The Debate competition was held on the topic ‘Is Political Parties' Interaction a Threat to the Integrity of Adult Franchise’.

The event witnessed an overwhelming participation of the student community. The purpose of the debate was to foster critical thinking, informed discourse, civic engagement among the students regarding the functioning of political parties and their impact on the integrity of adult franchise.

The Additional Deputy Commissioner Srinagar while speaking at the event also acknowledged the deliverance of the student speakers. His remarks served as a rallying call for the students to become active agents of change in building and sustaining a healthy democracy. 

Chief Education Officer Srinagar, who is also Nodal Officer SVEEP in his remarks emphasized that the progress of a culturally rich and diverse nation relies upon its youth and their active participation in all democratic engagements, especially in voting and highlighted the pivotal role of the younger generation in shaping the country’s future trajectory.

In his opening remarks and welcome address, the Principal of the College emphasized to the students the paramount importance of healthy participation for a thriving democracy. He underscored that democracy thrives on the active engagement of its citizens, and it is through their participation that the democratic process is enriched and strengthened.

Head, Department of Political Science emphasized the pivotal role of political parties within a democratic framework and underscoring the essence of voting.

Earlier, during the event about 18 students and two SVEEP Ambassadors namely Fajar Ali of 4th semester and Mehak Fayaz of BG-2nd Semester and Raziya Firdous (Class Representative of 6th Semester) presented their views regarding how participation in electoral process is important in a democratic country.

The students stressed that active participation in the electoral process is essential for the functioning of a vibrant democracy. It empowers citizens to shape the direction of their country, uphold democratic values, and ensure that the voices of the people are heard and represented in the corridors of power.

Besides most of the student speakers acknowledged the crucial role that political parties play in shaping the future of a country, emphasizing that their influence is not a threat to adult franchise but rather an integral component of political awareness.

They argued that political parties serve as vehicles for articulating diverse ideologies, mobilizing citizens, and aggregating interests, thereby facilitating the democratic process.