LUCKNOW: Chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Monday interacted with students of Colvin Taluqdars’ College in Lucknow, discussing the electoral process, electronic voting machines, misinformation and the role of young voters in elections.Kumar, who is on a two-day visit to Lucknow, also recalled his years as a student at the college. Speaking at Awadh Hall, he said his teachers and the institution had played an important role in his education and career.Recalling his student days in 1979, Kumar said he was interested in sports alongside academics and told students that the two should be balanced. He also spoke about his decision to join the civil services.According to Kumar, he had been preparing to go to the United States but decided to remain in India following his mother’s wishes and his own inclination towards public service.He subsequently cleared the civil services examination and joined the Indian Administrative Service as a Kerala cadre officer before eventually becoming Chief election commissioner.Turning to elections, Kumar said India has around 100 crore voters and conducting elections on such a scale requires the involvement of a large number of officials and employees.He said the Election Commission functions under the Constitution, election laws and prescribed rules to conduct elections.Responding to questions about electronic voting machines, Kumar said EVMs used in Indian elections are manufactured by public sector companies and are not connected to the internet, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.He also cautioned students against misinformation circulating on social media and advised them to check the source and authenticity of information before accepting or sharing it.Referring to Article 326 of the Constitution, which provides for elections to the Lok Sabha and state assemblies on the basis of adult suffrage, Kumar urged students who have completed 18 years of age to enrol themselves as voters.He said digital facilities provided by the Election Commission could be used for voter registration and encouraged students to also make their families and others around them aware of voting.Students asked Kumar questions on elections and the democratic process during the interaction.District magistrate Lucknow Vishak G, the college principal, faculty members and students were present at the programme.
