Election Museum and Education Centre
Delhi
Overview
India in its more than six decades of the republic has emerged and established as the world's largest democracy. It is considered to have the finest constitution which allows every single individual to vote and be part of choosing their government. Over 814.5 million people vote in elections making the process extremely complex and meticulous. Free, fair and transparent process of elections with constant technological interventions for efficient and effective delivery of elections are hallmarks of our electoral management.
Instruments of democracy have evolved since 1950 when the constitution came into effect, and the tools have traveled from ballot papers to ballot boxes and now to digitally controlled EVMs. There is a rich history of democracy and how it has been handled by the institution through the passage of time. Yet there was not a single place where these collections of heritage, tools which are required to run the democracy can be housed and communicated to people.
This project came with an ambition to bring in together all the artifacts related to election since independence under one roof and make it interactive where the common man can come and wade through that how democracy got matured over the years.
Design
The existing architecture was all about arches, stone flooring, concrete walls, winding staircases, arch vaults going in both directions. The design was made to use theses vaults, channel the floors and assign sections to various artifacts. A lot of understanding from the curator was done to understand how the floors have to be made to showcase the artifacts of various shapes and sizes and thus bringing out the best experience required.
The same concept was conveyed to the vaulted sections. Each vault was a crisscross of arches and space was divided in such a manner that sectional zoning and free flow movement can go hand in hand. The design was more concentrated by using proper lighting, repairing the arches, exposing the old woods with highlights, manipulating the walls through paneling, creating niches to display the artifacts. It was an amalgamation of the function and the program with the existing heritage of the structure. The museum houses chronicles of the country’s historical electoral journey with artifacts, documents, photographs, maps, film exhibits, and references. Areas for audiovisuals, interactive systems, different types of display zones and public library were also designed for educative purposes.
It also has an important section in Gandhiji’s engagement with democracy, set up with the assistance of the National Gandhi Museum. A special area was dedicated to Gandhi Samiti where one can catch a glimpse of how Mahatma Gandhi propagated his view of enfranchisement in South Africa and then in India.
Careful attention was given to the movement flow in the museum for the visitors, especially the school children, who are the primary target of the election museum, to impart awareness about each and every phase of the electoral journey and its significance in Indian democracy.
The project has been a jewel in the crown of the electoral officer’s office. It was designed to house the legacy of democracy and to be the first one and may be the only one of its kind in the country.
Key features
Built in a heritage building from the 19th century and holds significant importance in the history of independence.
Houses chronicle of country's historical electoral journey with artifacts, documents, photographs, and film exhibits
Audiovisuals, interactive systems, different types of display zones and public library, round up for the contemporary finish to the project.
Makes Impossible outcomes possible.