New Mullanpur Stadium to Motivate Young Voters: DC
In a strategic move to ramp up interest and participation in the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections, the Mohali administration is harnessing the inaugural ceremony of the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium at Mullanpur (New Chandigarh) as a key moment to engage and educate young voters. The event, enriched with an array of activities, is part of the administration’s broader efforts under the Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) program, aimed at lighting the spark of electoral responsibility among the youth.
A Gala of Democracy
Mohali’s deputy commissioner-cum-district electoral officer, Aashika Jain, outlined the administration’s vision for the event, expressly designed to serve as a bridge connecting young voters to the democratic process. In anticipation of the Lok Sabha Elections, the entire access road to the stadium has been transformed into a corridor of democracy-themed visual artistry, featuring hoardings, flags, and the newly introduced mascot, Shera 2.0, conceptualized by the Punjab chief electoral officer.
With a creative spin, the event will host selfie points and canopies adorned with election-themed paraphernalia around the stadium premises. Jain accentuated the focus on making the electoral process appealing to the youth, by rewarding first-time voters who flaunt their voter ID cards with a chance to win enticing prizes.
Engaging Activities and Awareness Efforts
The buildup to the event is nothing short of spectacular. Approximately 500 college students, wearing ‘I Vote For Sure’ themed T-shirts, caps, and masks, are slated to be part of an IPL match audience. This visual statement will be complemented by engaging messages displayed on screens before the match and an evocative stage performance by Punjabi University, Patiala’s orchestra team, bringing to life the folk song “Main Bharat Hu”.
Election awareness won’t stop at the visual; it will be audible through jingles playing on a radio channel surrounding the match timings and outreach messages from cricket sensation Shikhar Dhawan and Bollywood actress and Punjab Kings co-owner Preity Zinta. These efforts are all made to relay the importance of voting and electoral participation to the public.
Vounteers will be deployed throughout the venue, spearheading the information dissemination drive about SVEEP and encouraging dialogue and engagement amongst the attendees. The overarching aim, as Jain clarified, is to ramp up voter participation rates to 80% in the Lok Sabha elections in Mohali.
A New Chapter in Democratic Engagement
Linking sports, entertainment, and democratic engagement, the Mohali administration’s endeavor stands as a testament to innovative voter awareness strategies. At the heart of it, the inauguration of the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium is more than just a celebration of sports; it’s a catalyst for strengthening the foundation of democracy by empowering the youth with knowledge and a sense of responsibility towards their electoral rights and duties. As this event sets the stage, it reflects a broader ambition of entwining the joy of sport with the solemnity and significance of voting, ensuring that democracy remains vibrant and participative.
With such spirited and multifaceted initiatives, the event at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium sets a precedent for future voter engagement activities. Whether it’s through the thrill of cricket or the communal experience of a public gathering, the message is clear: every vote counts, and the youth are the key to sustaining the spirit of democracy.
Divya 
Mehek