The Election Commission of India and the Human Resources Development Ministry have teamed up together for the first time to promote electoral literacy through National Literacy Mission in the country.

A Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, between the country’s apex election body and National Literacy Mission Authority, NLMA, was inked in New Delhi today for the purpose. The agreement is intended to sensitize adults, vulnerable and disadvantaged women and minorities about the importance of their electoral rights and participative democracy.

As part of the MoU, NLMA will include electoral literacy in its curriculum for adult literacy and basic education. It will also design and develop Information Communication Education material on themes related to electoral literacy.

On the occasion, Human Resources Development Minister M M Palam Raju termed the MoU as a historic step to strengthen roots of democracy in the country. He said education must promote and inculcate democratic values among people.

Minister of State for Human Resources Development Shashi Tharoor said electoral literacy is a tool for greater empowerment of citizens. He expressed the view that government departments need to cooperate for empowered citizenry and democratic India.

Chief Election Commissioner V S Sampath said the agreement is a welcome initiative which will endeavour greater participation for the vibrant democracy.