Asserting that it was necessary for young people to "immediately" get into the habit of exercising their franchise as voters, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar today said the poll panel will soon sign an agreement with the Education Ministry to inform students in class IX and above what democracy actually means.
He said the Commission intends to start creating a nursery for voters at the school level itself.
"Right from their student days, their minds and understanding have to be inculcated about the important role of a voter in a democracy.
"Catching them young. They have turned 18 and have become a voter, but they are not very much aware of voting, ethos, magnitude. How to vote, whom to vote and what all considerations are to kept in mind - that background is not ready," he said.
Mr Kumar said through the MoU (Memorandum of Understanding), the EC plans to get into the curriculum to ensure the roots of democracy get ingrained in the minds of the children.
He made these remarks at an event to appoint actor Rajkumar Rao as the national icon of Election Commission to spread voter awareness.
Earlier too, the poll panel had pitched for electoral literacy to ensure students become responsible voters.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Featured Video Of The Day
Raveena Tandon And Rasha Thadani's Red Carpet Moment
J&K Poll Dates Going Past Top Court Deadline? Election Body Chief Responds J&K To Vote In 3 Phases, First Assembly Polls Since Article 370 Was Scrapped Assembly Elections Highlights: Election Commission Announces Assembly Polls Schedule 3 Days After Big Order On Deposits With SBI And PNB, Karnataka Hits Pause How Extreme Weather Is Leading To Rise In Child Marriages In Pakistan Monkeypox Cases Rising: How Worried Should You Be - 10 Points UK To Fund Master's Scholarships For Uttarakhand Students Hamas Rejects "New Conditions" In Proposed Gaza Deal: Report How Jail Slippers Helped Reunite Mentally-Challenged Man With Family Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.