Election awareness campaign held in Asia’s largest tulip garden in Srinagar

Nestled between Dal Lake and Zabarwan Hills, Asia's largest Tulip garden was used to create awareness among people and tourists with regard to ongoing parliamentary elections. The District Election Authority under the Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) programme had gathered volunteers from various schools of the Valley to create election awareness. The reason for holding the awareness campaign in the tulip garden was due to the huge footfall of people.

School-going children playing guitars and singing songs in the world-famous Tulip Garden in Srinagar managed to hold hundreds of people visiting the garden. These young boys and girls had volunteered with the Jammu and Kashmir Government to hold an awareness programme in Srinagar.

The motive of the programme remains to enhance public participation and voter awareness in the electoral process of the ongoing Lok Sabha Elections 2024. And banners of the same were seen all across the garden as well.

''It's the programme of SVEEP, We are doing an awareness programme here in Tulip Garden as Srinagar is going to polls on May 13. We are doing these programmes everywhere including colleges, universities and places which have a huge footfall. This is Asia's largest Tulip garden and students from schools, colleges and universities are doing programmes to create awareness. We have put up many banners all over and we appeal to people that if you want to bring a quality leader, you need to vote and every vote counts, '' said Nodal Officer SVEEP, A.H.Fani.

During the election awareness campaign, the students from various schools presented skits, musical performances, rap songs and march-past to educate the youngsters about their role in the ongoing elections. The government says these programmes help to spread the message to their parents, relatives and community underscoring the significance of their participation in nation-building through elections.

''It is very important to vote, it's for the betterment of the society. We are aware of the importance of elections. Many people are not aware that they have to vote at the age of 18. Everyone should vote and Tulip Garden is the best place to create this awareness as thousands of people come for visit here,'' said Nazia Pandit, a school teacher.

Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) primary goal is to build a truly participative democracy by encouraging all eligible citizens to vote. The students from various schools and colleges participated in the event and said that it's the best place to have such awareness programmes.

'We are here to make people aware of the election process and its importance. It's also very important to choose the best government,'' said Arwami, a student.

Dozens of such programmes are being organised by the government of Jammu and Kashmir across various districts.