Tura:
Together with the rest of the country eligible voters at Tura took the voter’s pledge on Wednesday at an elaborate function organised by the Deputy Commissioner (Election) commemorating the 13th National Voters’ Day at DRDA Conference Hall, here. The theme for this year’s National Voters Day is “Nothing like Voting, I Vote for Sure”.
Stating that the voting percentage of the district of 18 plus voters is about 80 per cent in the last election, the Deputy Commissioner, West Garo Hills, Swapnil Tembe, said that the turnout should be maintained in the upcoming assembly elections and informed that the SVEEP teams are conducting different programmes so as to encourage newly enrolled voters and everyone to participate in the electoral process regularly. Moreover, he urged all the youths in the rural areas to register themselves in order to enable them to vote during elections.
Additional Deputy Commissioner (Election) Rojalinda D Shira informed that January 25 is celebrated throughout the country as National Voters’ Day as it is the foundation day of the Election Commission of India to woo voters for effective participation in electoral process.
The deputy commissioner distributed the EPIC to the newly enrolled voters of 18-19 years. He also felicitated the Best Booth Level Officers under West Garo Hills District on the occasion with certificates and mementos.
Resubelpara
The day was observed at Mendipathar Multipurpose Cooperative Society hall.
North Garo Hills’ Deputy Commissioner RP Marak, addressing the gathering as the chief guest, urged them to exercise their franchise right by participating in every election actively and fearlessly.
While highlighting the objective of the Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP)programme, the deputy commissioner stated that the awareness on voters ‘education were minimal prior to the launching of SVEEP but with the intensive activities of SVEEP through its various outreach programmes in the region there has been a positive growth in the level of voter awareness.
As part of the programme, five young voters from 39 – Resubelpara Assembly constituency were identified and felicitated which included the handing over of the EPIC card.
The specially abled persons or person with disabilities electors also took part where they performed a musical show marking the programme.
District SVEEP Icon A’we Peddlers also participated in the programme where they rode their cycles from Mendipathar to Resubelpara highlighting the electoral literacy.
Baghmara
The day was also observed at Baghmara at the DRDA Training Hall Baghmara. Various programmes like bike rally, voter’s day marathon etc marked the occasion.
The Deputy Commissioner of South Garo Hills District, Shivansh Awasthi, while congratulating the youngest eligible voters informed the gathering about the power of vote as India celebrates the largest and the most vibrant democracy in the world.
He also expressed his happiness over the history of free and peaceful elections in the South Garo Hills District. During the programme, the newly eligible young voters were also felicitated and handed over their EPIC.
Ampati
A vibrant programme organised by the District Election Office of South West Garo Hills, was attended by government officials, higher secondary school students and locals, who witnessed live performances of district Icon, popular local artist, Saldorik D Sangma, Ampati A•chik Cultural Club and Unique Crew dance group.
During the event, newly registered voters were felicitated by handing over the EPIC Card.
The Deputy Commissioner of South West Garo Hills, Gideon Kharmawphlang, who is also the District Election Officer, administered the National Voters’ Day Pledge to the people who were present during the occasion.
Kharmawphlang, while addressing the gathering as the Chief Guest, said that based on the leaders we elect, people can figure out our strength, whether we are weak or strong. He also thanked the Officials of the District Election Office and also the BLOs for their services.