Bengaluru: NGO helps 'Solve Ninjas' win in GP polls

Bengaluru: Though the national and regional political parties have indulged in chest thumping claiming massive victory in the recent gram panchayat elections, the candidates rising from the roots to bring a change should not be forgotten.

When the Election Commission had announced the gram panchayat election, 21 candidates threw their hats in the ring in Nelamangala and Dommasandra.

A team from the NGO, Reap Benefit made a campaigning strategy and discussed with the youths in Nelamangala and Dommasandra.

Archana K.R from the NGO tells The Hans India that the specific objectives were to understand the current level of involvement of youth in the local governance system and identify the mechanism to strengthen local democracy.

"Our specific objectives were to develop appropriate strategies to promote youth involvement in Panchayati Raj system and make suggestions and recommendations for improving the present scenario of youth involvement in local governance," she says.

The first step was to discuss with all 21 candidates on how the panchayat elections were conducted and if they were really interested.

Archana mentored all the remaining 11 people on public problem solving and how to run campaign in their villages.

"We also have to see if they have proper documents to submit to the Election Commission. After discussion 10 members backed out as they didn't have proper documentation," Archana states.

In the second step, she explains that the villages were identified on the basis of reservation.

"We had more male (youth) candidates so in the reservation area they asked their mother/sister to stand in election. In the third step nomination was done for all the candidates we ensured their documents. One of the campaign strategies was to inform candidates and youths to identify main problems in their village and they reported in Solve Ninja Chatbot," she adds.

The candidates analysed the issues and discussed with the villagers. The issues were to find the way in the manifesto.

"We strive to be a platform that inspires youth to become action-based citizen champions called Solve Ninjas. Our aim is to activate the Solve Ninjas in every community across India, to tackle local civic and environmental problems using local data, local campaigns and local solutions. Technology platforms that enable young citizens to collaboratively take action towards solving local problems and supporting local governance," Archana says.

Out of 11 candidates, five won from Dommasandra, Chikkamaranahalli, Kuluvanhalli, Varadanayakanahalli and Kambalu.