General elections are the heart and soul of the democracy. Despiteits shortcomings, democracy is by far the best governance systemavailable globally. The 'SIS Ballot - 22' School Election was held on April 27 at Bhavans Smart Indian School to induct the students into India's electoral process and elect the school'sSupreme Council. The week-long electionprocess was led by the school's Social Science and Physical EducationDepartment.
On April 21, 2022, Bhavans Smart Indian School Principal Mr. Mahesh Iyer conducted the Election Declaration. He appointed Mr. Jai Thomas (Head of the Department of Social Sciences and History) as the Chief Election Commissioner. On the same day, Mr. Jai Thomas organized a seminar on the electoral process and India's glorious electoralsystem to all students.
The students were asked to submit their nomination papers from 21.04.2022 to 23.04.2022, and scrutiny was done on 24.04.2022. The publication of valid nominations also took place on the same day. There were more than thirty candidates for the sixteen Supreme Council seats.
The introduction of candidates and election debate were held on 25.04.2022 in the school auditorium. Classroom-based campaigning and election rallies were held from 25.04.2022 to 26.04.2022. The culmination of intense electioncampaigns and corridor rallies ended on April 26 at 11.30 a.m, followed by a few hours of silent campaigning. The enthusiasm and cooperation of the studentswere noteworthy.
On April 27, the online voting began at 10 am. Students, including the Chief Polling Officer,Polling Agents and other officials, led the smooth selection process at specially prepared polling stations. Security was the responsibility ofthe BSS cadets. When the election results came out on April 27, 2022, at 12.30 pm, the atmosphere of excitement was at its peak.
Mohammed Gulzar Sheikh of Grade 12-Aries was elected as School Head Boy, and Janet Joanna George of Grade 10 Taurus was elected as School Head Girl. The election results for the other 14 seats and the House Captaincy positions were also declared on the same day.
The winners were congratulated by Principal Mahesh Iyer, Vice Principal Albin Daisy and KG Supervisor Rajni Menon.
The election of the Supreme Council, which embodiedall the elements of the great and massive Indian general election,was exciting and experiential in all its subtleties.