Latehar: With an aim to strengthen democratic values, enhance awareness about electoral processes, and encourage informed participation among young and future voters, the Election Commission machinery in Jharkhand has announced the state-level speech competition, “AAWAZ Jharkhand 2026.” The initiative is being organized in view of the Special Intensive Revision of the Electoral Roll 2026, providing students across the state with a unique platform to express their views on democracy and electoral participation.
The competition is open to students studying in Classes 9 and 10, Classes 11 and 12, as well as colleges and universities across Jharkhand. Participants will have the option of delivering their speeches in either Hindi or English, ensuring wider participation from learners across different educational backgrounds.
To encourage thoughtful discussions and civic engagement, the organizers have identified three key themes for the competition: “A Pure Electoral Roll for a Strong Democracy,” “What Democracy Means and the Role of Youth in Strengthening It,” and “Why Intensive Revision of the Electoral Roll is Necessary.” Through these topics, students will be encouraged to critically examine the importance of voter registration, democratic participation, and the responsibility of informed citizenship.
Participants are required to record a speech between one and five minutes on any one of the selected themes and upload it through the designated Google Form. The video must be submitted in portrait format (9:16) and in MP4 format. Along with the video, contestants must also upload the written script of their speech in either Hindi or English.
The last date for submission of entries has been fixed as November 10, 2026.
To recognize and reward excellence, separate prizes have been announced for both Hindi and English categories. Winners will receive Rs: 10,000 for first place, 5,000 for second place, and ₹3,000 for third place, along with trophies and certificates.
Organizers have emphasized that originality and individual expression will carry significant weight during evaluation. Participants must use their own voice and presentation, while the use of AI-generated audio or visual content will not be permitted, ensuring authenticity and creativity in submissions.
Meanwhile, District Election Officer-cum-Deputy Commissioner Sandeep Kumar has directed all concerned officials and heads of educational institutions across the district to ensure that information about the competition reaches students at the grassroots level. He has also instructed authorities to undertake extensive publicity measures so that a maximum number of students can participate in the initiative.
Officials believe that AAWAZ Jharkhand 2026 will not only encourage public speaking skills among students but also help cultivate a deeper understanding of democratic principles, electoral participation, and responsible citizenship among the state’s next generation of voters.
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