Stella Maris College, EC Organizes Voter Awareness Program

chennai: stella maris college (smc) has taken a proactive initiative to foster democratic values among its students through collaborative efforts by the stella maris college think tank and the electoral literacy club. during a recent event, dr. sr. stella mary fmm, principal i/c, stella maris college, emphasized the crucial role of elections in the democratic framework and the need to engage with young voters, many of whom are first-time voters. she stressed the importance of understanding the election process to make informed choices that contribute to the nation's progress.addressing the audience, c. suresh, dro elections, chennai corporation, underscored the significance of youth participation in social activities. v. munian, educational consultant and sveep nodal officer for chennai district, urged students to enroll for their voter id and emphasized the impact of every single vote on the democratic process. prasad, programme officer, chennai corporation, provided insights into enrollment procedures and stressed the importance of possessing an updated voter id.as part of the week-long campaign, various awareness activities, including a poster competition, reel making competition, and a quiz, were conducted to raise awareness and consciousness among students about the importance of democracy. a survey among students revealed that approximately 8.3% are below 18 years of age, only 36.5% of those over 18 have voter ids, and more than 56% of those above 18 do not possess voter ids. the survey highlighted the immediate need for enrolling first-time voters.the college's commitment to increasing voter participation through extensive enrollment drives reflects its dedication to shaping informed and responsible citizens who understand the significance of their role in the democratic process.