GUWAHATI: In an effort to ensure maximum voter participation in the upcoming Lok Sabha election on May 7, the Kamrup Election District tested trial voting through virtual reality (VR) technology.
This is the first time that the pioneering initiative has been taken up in India to provide a virtual walk through the actual polling process.
Under the guidance of Kamrup District Commissioner and District Election Officer Keerthi Jalli, the initiative was recently inaugurated at Dakhin Kamrup College in Kamrup District as part of the Systematic Voters Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) initiative.
Speaking on the occasion, Kamrup DC Jalli highlighted the significance of utilising cutting-edge technology to engage the youth in democracy and make the voting process more captivating.
She described the event as a dry-run before the actual voting process, providing participants a virtual glimpse into a polling station and guiding them through the voting procedure.
Equipped with Oculus Headsets and joysticks, students embarked on a virtual journey mimicking the polling process.
From entering the polling station to casting their vote, participants were guided step-by-step through each stage.
The interactive software, voiced by a female narrator, directed users to select their gender, choose their ID document, and proceed through the polling booths.
The simulation aimed to familiarise participants with the intricacies of voting, from document verification to ballot casting.
Amidst laughter and excitement, students navigated through the virtual polling station, gaining firsthand insights into the electoral process.
Jaya Das, a first-time voter, expressed her enthusiasm, describing the experience as both enjoyable and enlightening.
“It was an amazing experience for us. It was fun and at the same time, satisfying that at the end I could cast my vote” said Jaya Das, a first-time voter in the college.
The concept of trial voting through VR technology was developed in collaboration with Dr. Keyur Sorathia, Associate Professor at the Department of Design, IIT Guwahati.
Dr. Sorathia highlighted the educational potential of VR and encouraged students to explore career opportunities in emerging fields such as Artificial Intelligence and Augmented Reality.
The event garnered widespread praise and was attended by dignitaries including Boko Circle Officer (A) Soma Roy and Inspector of Schools, Kamrup, Tapan Kalita.
