The Information Department is rolling out programmes to supplement the Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) through music and visual art so that more number of voters exercise their franchise on April 17.
The department has released music compact discs, colourful brochures and is staging street plays in every district of the State to educate people on the importance of exercising their franchise.
The Information Department has released Rs. 2 crore in support of the SVEEP programme for various forms of publicity for 30 district offices. Speaking to The Hindu , N.R. Vishu Kumar, Director of the Information Department, said it had removed over 2,800 existing hoardings showcasing government programmes and erected over 1,382 hoardings appealing to the people to cast their vote.
The department has also released 75 cartoons to district-level publications through its branches in all the districts. “Matadara Jagruthi Ashaya Geethegalu”, a music CD, has been released. Noted music composer V. Manohar has composed music for the songs penned by K.Y. Narayanaswamy and Mr. Vishu Kumar.
He said the department has asked the district offices to select theatre troupes to perform street plays to educate people. Selected troupes will stage four performances in a day at specified locations. The department has released Rs. 1 lakh to each of the 30 district offices for the purpose. “Theatre director Amardev has written the basic script and it is left to the troupes concerned to adopt suitable techniques and make necessary changes,” he added.
A specially designed van, equipped with rare photographs of electioneering in the country, is making rounds in Bangalore Rural district. “This mobile exhibition also has panels to educate people on the process of exercising their franchise,” he said.
