Media Release

Bantwal, Jun 20: In a remarkable initiative to instil democratic values and political awareness in young minds, St Patrick’s English Medium School, Siddakatte, Bantwal, conducted its annual School Parliament Elections on January 30, embracing modern technology through the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).

This year, the school made a significant leap by introducing a digital voting system using Android tablets. Two tablets were deployed for each election one functioning as the control unit and the other as the ballot unit powered by specially designed EVM software. This digital transition was aimed at giving students first-hand experience of India's democratic process in a safe and educational environment.

“We are celebrating the festival of democracy in our school,” said Sr Cynthia Sequeira, the Headmistress of the school. “We have given students the opportunity to voice their choices freely and responsibly through a digital voting platform. It’s a step towards nurturing informed and accountable future leaders.”

Sr Cynthia also expressed gratitude to Fr Anil Ivan Fernandes, director of Canara Communication Centre, Mangaluru, for his technical support in implementing the digital voting system.

The election process mirrored that of a real democratic setup. The week-long campaign included nomination filing, withdrawal of names, declaration of final candidates, and intense canvassing. Contesting for the coveted post of School Pupil Leader (SPL) were Lionel D’Souza and Princia Divya D’Souza, while four students Aaron Vivien Sales, Ashlish Nayak, Nishwal, and Prasthuthi S Rai contested for the Assistant SPL (ASPL) position.

Fr Anil Fernandes, present during the election, remarked, “It was heartening to witness the enthusiasm among students. Through this exercise, they’re not only learning about democracy but are also actively participating in it.”

Students, too, were thrilled by the experience. “It felt like I was a real voter,” said Asly Snehal, a class 9 student. “The digital process was smooth, fast, and exciting.” Lavanya from class 10 shared, “This election gave me a true sense of what it means to participate in a democratic process. I now understand the value of voting.”

At the end of this innovative election, Lionel D’Souza emerged victorious as the SPL, while Nishwal secured the ASPL post for the academic year.

The successful execution of the event was made possible through the dedicated efforts of the staff, led by Sr Cynthia and coordinated by teachers Sarita and Kavitha, who turned the event into a celebration of democracy and a memorable educational experience for the budding citizens of India.