Election Simulation as a Civic Education Approach: A Case Study at Seri Puteri School, Cyberjaya, Selangor

This study examines the effectiveness of election simulation as an experiential learning approach in enhancing civic and democratic education among secondary school students in Malaysia. The programme, titled “Democracy Literacy: From the Classroom to the Ballot Box”, was designed to strengthen students’ understanding of democratic governance, electoral processes, and the rights and responsibilities of citizens within a democratic society. Recognising the importance of cultivating informed and engaged future voters, the programme sought to provide students with practical exposure to electoral procedures through active participation rather than conventional classroom instruction. The programme was implemented at Seri Puteri School, Cyberjaya, Selangor, and involved a series of structured educational activities, including electoral briefings, civic awareness sessions, interactive discussions, and a comprehensive mock election that closely replicated the procedures used in Malaysian general elections. By simulating the voting process, students were able to experience first-hand the mechanics of elections, voter registration, ballot casting, vote counting, and the announcement of results. A mixed-methods case study design was employed to evaluate the programme’s impact. Data were collected from 96 student participants through structured feedback questionnaires and qualitative reflections. Quantitative findings revealed that more than 88% of participants reported an improved understanding of democratic principles and electoral procedures following the programme. Students also expressed heightened interest in political participation and demonstrated greater awareness of the significance of voting in shaping democratic governance. Qualitative responses further highlighted the engaging, interactive, and practical nature of the simulation experience. The findings suggest that election simulation serves as an effective pedagogical tool for promoting political literacy, civic responsibility, and democratic engagement among young people. Such initiatives can contribute to the development of informed, responsible, and active citizens who are better prepared to participate meaningfully in democratic life.

Civic education, Election simulation, Democratic awareness, Experiential learning, Youth engagement

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