SAHIWAL: The 1,158 public sector schools in the district had an eventful day on Thursday when they conducted polling to elect office-bearers of student councils -- an exercise aimed at creating awareness and inculcating democratic values among the students.

Sahiwal is said to be the second district in Punjab (the other being Muzaffargarh) where the innovative concept of student councils, or SCs, has been introduced.

As many as 312,908 students of the 1,158 schools elected their 4,636 representatives on the principle of “one student, one vote” in Sahiwal. Among the elected representatives are 2,284 girls studying in 571 schools -- elementary, high and higher secondary. More than 11,000 teachers performed the role of election staff in their schools. The process started on Nov 11 and voting was simultaneously held on Nov 14 (Thursday).

In a process that has been fashioned on the model of the general election, the students got an opportunity to run campaigns, design polling material, having themselves registered as voters and cast their votes on the ballot papers. The candidates in the run for the slots of president, vice president, general secretary/finance secretary and media coordinator were allotted symbols.

The ‘Election Commission’ had earlier issued schedule for the elections. Each class will also elect representatives.

The exercise seemed a microcosm of national election

It is learnt that the idea is the brainchild of Deputy Commissioner Dr Ehtesham Anwar who was transferred here from Muzaffargarh where he had the exercise conducted. The District Education Authority chief executive officer executed the plan.

Elaborating on the initiative, Dr Ehtesham said the SC idea was basically different from that of the student unions. “The student unions had developed negative connotation so it is not something that gives the impression of political unionism where students with political orientation/inclination or ambition participate but the criteria of SCs is that only hardworking, capable, disciplined students having distinction in school examinations can participate.”

The main objectives, he said, were to equip the students with life skills such as confidence, management, communication, and to revive co-curricular activities by engaging students and inculcating a sense of responsibility and democratic values among them.

As for the methodology, he said, a senior teacher was made in charge of educating both staff and students about the election process. “The eligibility criteria is only those students (boy/girl) can participate who have secured top three positions in their previous examination along with 90pc attendance. In case of a lack of interest, the next in line will be given opportunity to contest,” he said.

Mrs Ghazala Anwar, DO (Secondary), told Dawn that after the election in each school, the headmistress in her capacity as presiding officer would formally take oath from the elected representatives. The oath clearly defines the role and responsibilities of elected representatives.

A visit to the Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Jahaz Ground, and the Government Higher Secondary School, Farid Town, showed there was a lot of enthusiasm among girls students. Many students told Dawn that they were having the feel of the general election.

CEO Sajjad said the first vote was cast at the Government High School of 106/9-L in the morning. He said the exercise would be followed by other districts as well.

Mrs Naheed Aslam, SS (Physics) who served as election conveners at the Farid Town school, said there were 1,673 registered voters. The penal of presidential candidates had Khadija, Ayesha and Fatima with rose, book and eagle as symbols. The results showed Khadija won the election by securing 582 votes while Ayesha and Fatima secured 315 and 482 votes, respectively.

Ali Raza Bokhari, the principal of the GHS of 138/9-L, said the election process was done during school time.

Sources said an oath-taking ceremony of the winning candidates would be held.

Published in Dawn, November 15th, 2019