The Department of Political Science, Loreto College, Kolkata, in collaboration with the National Service Scheme (NSS) Unit, Loreto College, and the Department of Public Administration, Jyoti Niwas College Autonomous, Bengaluru (MoU partner), successfully commemorated National Voters’ Day 2026 through an inter-college academic initiative aimed at promoting democratic awareness and critical engagement with electoral participation.
The programme was held on 29 January 2026 in hybrid mode at Loreto College, Kolkata. It marked a significant academic milestone as the first academic poster presentation of its kind organized by the Department of Political Science. The event was jointly coordinated by Mrs. Sayoni Choudhuri Patra, Loreto College, Kolkata, and Mr. Munichowdappa N., Jyoti Niwas College Autonomous, Bengaluru.
Learning Objectives
To create awareness among students about the constitutional significance of voting and the observance of National Voters’ Day in India.
To encourage a critical understanding of electoral processes, democratic values, and citizens’ rights and duties.
To develop students’ ability to research, analyse, and visually present political and electoral issues in a concise and impactful manner.
To foster active citizenship and democratic participation by linking theoretical knowledge with contemporary electoral challenges.
Learning Outcomes
Students demonstrated a clear understanding of the importance of voting and democratic participation in a constitutional democracy.
Students exhibited enhanced research, analytical, and visual communication skills through academic poster preparation.
Students developed the ability to articulate electoral issues, reforms, and voter awareness themes in an accessible and engaging format.
Students showed increased civic consciousness and motivation to participate responsibly in the electoral process.
The on-stage Poster Presentation Competition was organised on the theme “From Margins to Mandates: Gender and Electoral Participation in Indian Democracy.” The theme encouraged students to critically reflect on the evolving role of women and gender-diverse citizens in India’s electoral democracy, with particular attention to representation, inclusivity, and structural barriers within democratic institutions.
In addition, an off-stage Essay Writing Competition on the theme “First-Time Voters and Democratic Responsibility” was announced. This initiative extended academic engagement beyond the event day and encouraged reflective writing on democratic participation among young voters. The results of the Essay Writing Competition will be announced at a later date.
In accordance with the government-mandated observance of National Voters’ Day, the NSS office bearers administered the Voters’ Pledge, reaffirming the constitutional values of free, fair, and ethical electoral participation. In the spirit of inter-institutional collaboration, the MoU partner institution, Jyoti Niwas College Autonomous, Bengaluru, also observed the Voters’ Pledge on their campus.
A total of six inter-departmental teams from Loreto College participated in the Poster Presentation event. The programme was attended by approximately 75 students from Semester I and Semester III. The posters addressed critical issues such as social barriers affecting women voters and the inclusion of gender-diverse communities within India’s democratic framework. Through visual narratives and conceptual analysis, the presentations highlighted the gap between numerical participation and substantive political empowerment.
The Poster Presentations were evaluated by a distinguished panel comprising Ms. Sreeparna Dasgupta, Assistant Professor and former Head, Department of Political Science, Loreto College, and Mr. Devaprasad F., Academic Professional, Jyoti Niwas College Autonomous. The judges assessed the presentations on conceptual clarity, analytical depth, visual coherence, and the ability to translate complex democratic ideas into effective academic presentations.
The winners of the Poster Presentation Competition were Hifza Shahnawaz and Rajosi Ray, students of Semester I, Department of Political Science, Loreto College, Kolkata. Their presentation stood out for its analytical rigour, visual clarity, and critical engagement with the theme.
The National Voters’ Day 2026 programme proved to be a meaningful academic endeavour that went beyond ceremonial observance. The initiative successfully underscored that true democratic progress lies not merely in voter turnout, but in transforming participation into equitable representation and political agency.
National Voters’ Day 2026
The Student Profile Mapping for the absentees will be conducted on January 9, 2026 at 1 P.M.
