National Article Writing Competition | Electoral Rights of Persons with Disabilities | HPNLU (Shimla) | Association of Democratic Reforms | Register by 15th Jan 2026!

National Article Writing Competition | Electoral Rights of Persons with Disabilities | HPNLU (Shimla) | Association of Democratic Reforms | Register by 15th Jan 2026!

The Centre for Human Rights and Disability Studies (CHRDS), Himachal Pradesh National Law University (HPNLU), Shimla, in collaboration with the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), proudly announces the National Article Writing Competition on the theme “Electoral Rights of Persons with Disabilities.”

This competition seeks to encourage law students, researchers, and young professionals to critically engage with the intersection of electoral democracy and disability rights. By combining ADR’s pioneering work in democratic reforms with CHRDS’s focus on disability justice, the event aims to generate innovative scholarship and actionable ideas for inclusive electoral participation in India.

About the Organizers:

Himachal Pradesh National Law University (HPNLU), Shimla

Established in 2016, HPNLU is a premier institution dedicated to holistic legal education. Nestled in the Himalayas, the University emphasizes interdisciplinary learning, practical application, and the development of socially responsible lawyers.

Centre for Human Rights and Disability Studies (CHRDS)

CHRDS is a unique research-cum-activism centre at HPNLU. It focuses on healthcare, education, employment, dignity, autonomy, and justice for persons with disabilities. The Centre bridges academic research with activism, aiming to create narratives that uphold rights to privacy, self-determination, and cultural preservation.

Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR)

Founded in 1999 by IIM Ahmedabad professors, ADR is India’s leading non-partisan NGO working on electoral transparency and accountability. Its landmark achievement was the Supreme Court ruling (2002–03) mandating disclosure of candidates’ criminal, financial, and educational backgrounds. ADR continues to drive systemic reform through Election Watch, Political Party Watch, and Public Interest Litigations.

Competition Themes:

Participants may choose from the following five broad themes:

1. Beyond the Ballot Box: Legal barriers to electoral participation for persons with disabilities.
2. The Right to Vote as Equality: Reinterpreting suffrage through a disability rights lens.
3. Digital Democracy or Digital Divide?: Promise and perils of electronic voting for the disabled.
4. Guardianship vs. Citizenship: Legal capacity and disenfranchisement of persons with intellectual disabilities.
5. From Tokenism to Transformation: Accessible elections as a constitutional mandate.

Guidelines:

General Guidelines:

• Double-blind peer review for impartial evaluation.
• Strict anonymity of authors; disclosure of identity leads to disqualification.
• CHRDS, HPNLU retains final authority on rules and disputes.

Formatting Guidelines:

• Word limit: 2500–3000 words (including footnotes).
• Font: Times New Roman, size 12, line spacing 1.5.
• Headings: size 14.
• Footnotes: Bluebook 20th edition, size 10, single spacing.
• No speaking footnotes.

Submission Guidelines:

• Original, unpublished work only.
• Submissions via official link in .docx format; email submissions not accepted.
• Similarity index above 20% will lead to rejection.
• Use of AI tools strictly prohibited.
• Manuscripts become property of CHRDS, HPNLU with rights to reproduce and publish.

Prizes & Publication:

• First Prize: ₹3000 + publication on ADR’s website + certificate of merit.
• Second Prize: ₹2000 + publication on ADR’s website + certificate of merit.
• Third Prize: ₹1000 + publication on ADR’s website + certificate of merit.
• Top 10 Articles: Publication (ADR or CHRDS website) + certificate of merit.
• All Participants: Certificate of participation.

Assessment Criteria:

Submissions will be evaluated on:

• Content Quality (30 marks): Alignment with theme, factual accuracy, originality, critical thinking.
• Writing Style & Creativity (30 marks): Engaging, expressive, innovative structuring.
• Language Proficiency (20 marks): Grammar, fluency, readability.
• Structure & Organisation (10 marks): Logical flow, coherence.
• Ethical Writing (10 marks): Proper citations, zero plagiarism.

Timeline:

• Registration Opens: December 31, 2025
• Last Date for Registration & Submission: February 15, 2026 (11:59 PM)
• Results Announcement: First week of March 2026

Registration:

• Fee: ₹250 (single author), ₹500 (co-authored submission).
• Mode: Online via official registration and submission links.

Contact Details:

• Email: chrds@hpnlu.ac.in
• Instagram: @chrds_hpnlu
• Phone:
  • Samia Mirza (Co-Convener): +91 63062 05121
  • Ashpinder Kaur (Convener): +91 98762 13792
  • Rimjim Kheda (Treasurer): +91 96106 66673

For More Information:

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