July Activity-Mock Election

1. To elect the ACTiZENS’ Club’s office-bearers democratically.
2. To mock an end-to-end election process to make students understand the procedure involved through action, activity, and participation.
3. To make students understand the importance of voting in a democratic country like India.

Plain sheets, shoebox, chart paper/coloured paper to cover the box (optional), glue, scissors, ruler, pencils, erasers, and sketch pen. 

Period 1

Time required - 45 Minutes

Step 1- Watching Video

Step 2- Probing Questions

Step 3- Explain the Activity

Now, let us begin! 

Step 1- A short video on elections can be shown by the teacher. The video link is given below:

System of Elections in India | Social Studies Tutorial

Step 2- In the next step, please ask some probing questions based on the video played. Some of these questions could be:

• Who is eligible to contest elections in India?
• Who is eligible to vote in general elections in India?
• What is the difference between direct and indirect elections?

Step 3- Explain the activity given below to the class:

• Ask students to nominate the names of candidates for the positions of various office bearers (such as the President and Vice-President of ACTiZENS’ Club). The candidates are also allowed to nominate themselves.
• Ask the candidates to present their short candidature in front of the class.
• Voter Registration- Make a voters’ list in advance and announce the election date.
• Prepare a ballot box and ballot paper mentioning the names of the candidates.
• Ask students to think about the person they would like to vote for, and why, and come prepared for the voting day.

1. Sample Ballot Paper

Assign responsibility to 2-3 students/a group to make ballot papers for each office bearer nomination as per the class size by either taking printouts or making them manually using paper and pen. 

A sample is given below:

1. Sample Voter Registration Card

Ask each student to prepare/print a ‘Voter Registration Card’ using a small piece of paper. To register to vote, each child should fill out a mock voter registration card on which they write their name, classroom, grade, and any other information you would like them to add. This process lets the students know that adults have to register officially long before they can vote on Election Day.

 A sample is given below:

1. Voter’s List

The teacher will collect all the Voter Registration Cards and make a voters’ list. Make sure to leave space after each student's name for their signature before they are given a ballot. Let the students know that this process ensures that people can vote only once in a single election cycle. 
A sample is given below:

1. Ballot Box

A group of students can make the ballot box using a shoe box or cardboard box with a small slit on the top. If they like, they can cover it with coloured paper and label it as "BALLOT BOX - ACTiZENS’ CLUB”.

Period 2

Time required - 45 Minutes

Step 4- Set up a Ballot box. 

Step 5- Start the voting process with a secret ballot.

Step 6- Count and tally the votes, and 

Step 7- Announce the election results. 

Let’s begin the Activity!

Step 4- Set up a Ballot box

Set up a ballot box in one corner of the classroom and distribute ballot papers to all the club members (students).

 Step 5- Secret Ballot

Have the students vote by secret ballot, one student at a time.
Each student needs to find her name on the voters' list and sign next to it. That student then gets a ballot to cast a vote.

Have a private area in which the students can secretly read and fill out the ballot. A few desks in a corner will do. For an effect, you could also make a voter's booth in which a student can fill out the ballot more privately —a cardboard box used for packaging a refrigerator could work as a booth. Remind students that it is a secret ballot and that they are allowed to vote for whichever candidate they like — no one should pressure anyone to vote (or not vote) in any particular way! When the students are done filling out their forms, they can put their ballot in the Ballot box.

A sample of the result sheet is given below:

Step 6- Count the Votes and Tally them

As you count each ballot, tally the votes on the board (for students in higher grades, you can also calculate percentages of votes). When you are done counting, make sure the number of ballots is equal to the number of students. The candidate with the greatest number of votes shall be declared the winner. If there is a tie, you can have another round of voting, or the teacher can cast his/her vote.

Step 7- Put the Election Results into Effect 

To demonstrate to the students, the importance and impact of voting, make sure the election results go into effect when you said they would. Announce the winners and office bearers of The ACTiZENS’ Club and launch the Club officially by handing over the badges to the newly elected members and office bearers in a ceremony.

Ask students to fill up the reflection sheet.

Mock Election Printable Format pdf