Students get first-hand experience of poll process

Our Correspondent

Sahnewal, April 18

As the election scene has heated up, Mount Litera Zee School has devised a novel way of teaching its students about the poll process.

Students, interested in becoming “head boy” or “head girl” of the school, were asked to choose their election symbols. They were asked to canvass to highlight the values and qualities associated with their symbol and promises to be fulfilled post election.

Students chose symbols such as aeroplane, earth, cycle, rose, jasmine, flower, pen, ant, moon, star, sun, eagle, basketball, football and turban. The canvassing began a week before the election. On the day of election, they were seen campaigning again.

“My father always talked of canvassing by candidates but I seldom followed until I stood for the post. Now, I have understood what is going on in the country at present,” said a student.

“It is interesting to seek votes, going from class to class. One has to put best foot forward and make promises which he or she can fulfil, after getting election to the post.”

Vishal Garg and Daljit Kaur Bhangoo, chairman and principal respectively, also voted along with students. “The elections for students’ council were held today. The candidates were campaigning with enthusiasm for the past few days. They prepared creative campaign posters and pasted them all over the school. The candidates promoted peaceful values, showing their willingness to contribute to improve the life of their fellows during the school years,” said the chairman.

“The school hall was converted into a polling booth. Teachers played the role of election staff. Separate spot was identified for the polling staff, a waiting area, polling booth and a ballot box. Students and teachers were given voting slips and they had to tick on the slip to vote. The voting slips were to be put into the ballot box. The votes waited for their turn before being escorted to the voting booth, where they could make their choice under secrecy,” said the school principal.