First-time voter simulation

Alongside running the statewide awareness programmes for voters in Gujarat, set to undergo polling for Lok Sabha elections and assembly bye-polls on May 7, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) P Bharathi has launched a virtual simulation for first-time voters.

A portal launched by the state CEO’s office leads the user into a ‘metaverse’-based interactive simulation. It simulates the voting experience at a polling booth.

By controlling a character through their keyboard functions, the user can virtually simulate performing all the mandatory polling formalities.

It starts with a character spawned at a location, from where it has to be directed to the polling station. This character then has to be directed towards all the documentation desks, ahead of entering the polling booth with the EVM machine.

A simulated vote could then be cast, fulfilling its eventual objective.

This virtual simulation could be accessed with three different characters, with the additional facility to name them.

CEO Bharathi expressed enthusiasm about the innovative use of technology to enhance voter education and participation.

“Through this virtual reality platform, voters can navigate a simulated voting experience, providing them with a comprehensive understanding of the voting process. This immersive approach aims to make voting more accessible and convenient, leveraging computer, and Android mobile technology,” said the CEO of Election Metaverse.

This portal could be accessed by heading to learn2vote.ceogujaratgov.com

Also read:

Lok Sabha elections 2024: Things you need to know as a first-time voter

Accessible democracy: How do visually impaired people vote?

Age breakdown for Gujarat’s voters in Lok Sabha elections 2024