New Delhi- To improve voter awareness, banks and post offices have decided to start a campaign on the occasion of Lok Sabha elections 2024. Under this campaign, messages will be displayed on their websites, social media, and through posters at their offices and major locations.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Indian Banks' Association (IBA) and the Department of Posts to implement this project. Under the agreement, a special cancellation stamp with voter awareness messages will also be put on postal articles by the Department of Posts.

The MoU was signed on Monday in the presence of Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar and Election Commissioner Arun Goel. Vineet Pandey Secretary, Department of Posts Sunil Mehta, Chief Executive, IBA and other officials from Department of Posts, IBA and ECI were present on the occasion. 

The purpose of this campaign is to make the voting process more accessible and inclusive. According to a report by the ECI, about 30 crore electors out of 91 crore did not cast their ballots in the General Election 2019. This is a considerable challenge, which the Election Commission is committed to addressing.

The main objectives of the voter awareness campaign are to target eligible voters and make them aware of their rights and responsibilities. The campaign will also focus on promoting the inclusive and fair conduct of elections.

Key highlights of the MoU include:

• Members and affiliated institutions/units will display voter education messages prominently on their websites, directing visitors to learn more about the electoral process.

• Voter education content will be disseminated through various promotional channels such as social media and customer outreach platforms of member institutions, ensuring widespread awareness among stakeholders and the public.

• Voter education messages will be displayed in the form of posters, flex, and hoardings at office infrastructure/premises at major locations, reaching customers at key touchpoints.

• All member institutions under IBA & DoP will establish Voter Awareness Fora to engage employees and customers in discussions and initiatives related to voter education.

• Sensitize about training module on SVEEP in the regular orientation Programmes of employees of IBA & DoP.

• The Department of Posts will affix a special cancellation stamp (bearing voter education messages) on the postal articles.

The Strength of Banks and POs in India

The Indian Banks' Association (IBA), formed on September 26, 1946, started with 22 members and now has a strong network of 247 members across the country. Public sector banks are in lead with 90,000+ branches and 1.36 lakh ATMs followed by 42,000+ branches of Private Sector Banks with 79,000+ ATMs. Regional Rural Banks contribute 22,400+ branches, while Small Finance & Payment Banks operate around 7000 branches and 3000+ ATMs. Foreign Banks maintain 840 branches and 1,158 ATMs, and Local Area Banks have 81 branches. The cumulative number of the branches are 1.63 lakh+ with 2.19 lakh+ ATMs across the country.

For more than 150 years, the Department of Posts (DoP) has been the backbone of the country’s communication and has played a crucial role in the country’s social economic development. With more than 1,55,000 post offices, the DoP has the most widely distributed postal network in the world.