Nowshin Anjum, a 4th-year student at Dhaka University, led a project to empower first-time voters. Alongside three team members and inspired by the DFTP Summer Course 2023, she initiated the project in September 2023, which concluded in November 2023.
Bangladesh has seen declining voter turnout in recent national and local elections. Many young people, especially first-time voters, are disinterested in voting due to mistrust in the electoral process. With the January 2024 election approaching, it became crucial to encourage youth participation and restore faith in the voting process.
To address this, Nowshin’s team organized several activities to engage and motivate young voters. They conducted a gallery walk to provide information on the electoral process, held mock voting sessions to familiarize first-time voters with the experience, composed an inspiring song to rally enthusiasm, and distributed pictures, flyers, and posters on social media to raise awareness. They also facilitated community dialogues with 30-40 participants and reached almost 2,000 people through videos, while having one-on-one conversations with 40-50 individuals.
The project achieved significant success in empowering first-time voters. The gallery walk and mock voting sessions demystified the voting process, making it less intimidating and more accessible. The inspiring song and social media campaign effectively raised awareness and excitement about voting. The community dialogues and one-on-one conversations helped address individual concerns and build trust in the electoral process.
The impact of Nowshin’s project was far-reaching. It not only increased voter awareness and confidence among young people but also set an example of effective civic engagement. By encouraging youth participation in elections, Nowshin’s efforts contributed to a more informed and active electorate, potentially boosting voter turnout in the upcoming January 2024 election and fostering a culture of democratic participation for future elections.