College students across Mumbai are creating Instagram reels to encourage voting among young people. This effort targets first-time voters ahead of the crucial municipal corporation elections scheduled for January 15, 2026.
Social Media Takes Center Stage in Voter Outreach
The Department of Lifelong Learning and Extension (DLLE) at Mumbai University leads this initiative. They operate under the Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) program. Officials identified Instagram reels as the most effective tool to reach the youth demographic.
"Considering the target audience, the most effective medium of communication was the reels," said a DLLE official named Gaikwad. The department trained student volunteers to produce short, dynamic videos. These videos explain why voting matters, how to register, and what to expect at polling stations.
Student Voices Amplify the Message
Students from various colleges are actively participating and sharing their perspectives through these reels.
"Voting is not just a right but our responsibility," said Muskan Parkar from Kalsekar College in Mumbra. "Municipal elections directly impact our daily lives, so let’s vote and be a responsible citizen."
Zarna Pande from B N Bandodkar College delivered a powerful message in her video. "Today I am here to remind you of your power. We often discuss the changes that we want to see in our city – better roads, clean surroundings and smarter development. But remember change doesn’t happen by opinion. It happens by action," she stated. Pande urged her peers to seize the opportunity presented by the upcoming elections.
Educating Voters on the New Panel System
A key component of the campaign involves explaining the new panel voting system. This system requires voters to select corporators from multiple wards. The DLLE has organized demonstration sessions to clarify this process.
Student volunteers received special training to create informative videos about the panel system. These videos are shared with affiliated colleges and on social media platforms to maximize reach. "The idea is to expand the reach of awareness by sharing these videos on social media," Gaikwad explained.
Campus Activities Complement Digital Efforts
Beyond Instagram reels, Mumbai's college campuses are buzzing with various voter awareness activities. These include oath-taking ceremonies, street plays, flash mobs, signature campaigns, and rallies.
Individual colleges are organizing these events with support from the Election Commission. For instance, Ramnarain Ruia College planned awareness activities for the two days leading up to the polls.
"With focus on the importance of voting, the activities will include educating students on the process, especially including the knowledge on the new panel-voting system," said Principal Dr. Anushree Lokur.
At Sathaye College, the Election Commission deputed a teacher to lead voting awareness efforts in the surrounding locality. Principal Dr. Madhav Rajwade described this as a new format of election duty. The teacher works specifically to educate young voters in the area.
The comprehensive campaign demonstrates a concerted push to engage Mumbai's youth in the democratic process. By leveraging popular social media tools and campus-based activities, authorities aim to boost voter turnout and informed participation in the municipal elections.
