Islamabad(PR):Civic and Voter Education Plan aims to provide information and contribute towards educating citizens about their rights and obligations in regard to elections and democracy with the aim to make the electoral processes more credible and accountable through their participation. It is a way forward to achieve the major objectives of maximizing the voters turnout in elections (From 55% to 70%) minimizing the male and female gap in voting process and encouraging women and other underprivileged classes where they are prohibited to use their right of vote in a free, fair and fear free environment and to motivate urban well educated segment of population living in posh areas of large cities to actively participate in electoral process.
Various activities related to voter education program are identified here to carry on with the approval of competent authority under various major heads to optimize the results for General Elections 2018 and onward through voter’s education in conducive environment.
1. Civic Voter Education Committees
These committees will operate under the chairmanship of District Election Commissioners in each district of Pakistan. Other members may include staff of provincial and district government departments, the local CSOs, representatives of the political parties, lawyers, media personnel other nobles and dignitaries from the area etc. These committees will be responsible to lead the voter and civic education work in their respective districts. These will be instrumental in expanding the ECP outreach to have more direct relationships with voters at the grassroots level through voter education planning and implementation regime for maximum yields.
2. Trainings and Seminars ECP shall organize training programs for PROs and other Election Officers and media personnel to facilitate to provide fair balance accurate and timely coverage of Elections.
3. Media Activities Activities clubbed under this heading strategize to utilize media for the promotion of the ECP as well as educating masses on voter and civic education related issues. Publicity plan through media on occasion of Electoral roll revision engaging PTV, PBC and other electronic channels and FM radio for publicity of ECP messages
.4. Newsletter
The ECP will compile and print Newsletter and brochures from time to time. The newsletter will be printed on quarterly basis.
5. National Voter’s Day Programs
The 7 th of December is approved as National Voters Day by the Election Commission. Special Programs will be organized on National Voters Day including a national seminar at Convention Center Islamabad, debates, social activities media programs and supplements and other conferences and seminars at regional level.
6. Amendments in curriculum
For an effective and well directed civic education program at school and college level the ECP will coordinate with the Federal Education Ministry, Higher Education Commission and Provincial Departments of Education to make appropriate amendments in the curriculum and syllabus for adding more targeted contents on elections and democracy. The cases are already in process.
7. Complementary Messages and Documentaries
The ECP will prepare small documentaries, television commercials, public service messages to educate masses on voter and civic education related topics. The main contents will include how to get registered as voter, why and how to cast vote, what is ECP its mandate and functions, what should be done to increase voter awareness and turnout etc. Participation of all voters i.e. women, youth, persons with disabilities, rural, urban, minorities will be the main themes of all such messages.
