SRINAGAR: The 12th National Voters Day was today celebrated across all the districts of Kashmir to mark the foundation day of the Election Commission of India, established on 25th January 1950.
The National Voters Day is observed annually on 25 January to spread awareness about the importance of voting in a democracy, it also educates people about their voting rights and encourages youngsters, who have reached the age of 18, to participate in the electoral process.
This year the theme of the National Voters Day is ‘Nothing Like Voting, I Vote for Sure’.
At Baramulla, the main function to commemorate National Voters Day was held at Dak Bungalow, Baramulla where Deputy Commissioner (DC) Baramulla, Dr Syed Sehrish Asgar presided over the programme as the chief guest.
Additional District Development Commissioner Baramulla, Aijaz Abdullah Saraf besides other district and sectoral officers were also present in the function.
On the occasion, the DC who is also District Election Officer (DEO) administered the Voter’s Pledge to the participants.
Addressing the gathering, the DEO said that the main aim of celebrating the Day is that democracy should reach grass roots level so that more and more people take part in the democratic process. She urged the youngsters to know the strength of their vote and make a statement by using their vote.
Dr Sehrish also threw light on the significance of the Day and said that the main objective of the Day is to ensure that a maximum number of young voters take part in the decision making.
Meanwhile, a quiz competition was also organised wherein students highlighted the importance of taking part in Democratic Process and educated new voters regarding the importance of exercising their franchise.
During the function, the best ERO, AERO, BLO’s and field functionaries were felicitated for showing extraordinary performance. Students who participated and showed their best performance in the Quiz competition were also felicitated.
At Anantnag, the 13th National Voters Day was celebrated at Government College for Women Anantnag where Deputy Commissioner (DC) Anantnag, Dr Basharat Qayoom presided over the event.
The event was organized by the District Election Office in collaboration with DLSA and GCW Anantnag.
The DC highlighted the importance of elections in a democratic setup. He said that every vote matters and people must exercise this right responsibly.
He said that in order to enable all eligible voters to exercise this right, special summary revisions were held in the district and a significant number of new voters were fully equipped to cast their vote.
He lauded the organizers at GCW and in other parts of the district for this full hearted celebration of this important constitutional event and said that the importance of voting rights cannot be undermined and people must realize the power at their hands. He said voting rights are a social equalizer, everybody who is a citizen has the same rights and the same say in the formation of Governments.
Students from various educational institutions presented colourful cultural programs on the occasion. A skit was also presented to highlight the importance of voting.
Various speakers including members of DLSA and students from various educational institutions and Dy District Election Officer highlighted the importance of the day, the constitutional provisions related to voting and the need for people to exercise their votes.
On the occasion, speakers as well as newly registered voters were felicitated besides officials of the District Election Office.
The DC also administered the pledge on the occasion to the participants.
The event was attended by President MC Anantnag, Dy DEO, CEO Anantnag, Secretary DLSA, master trainers, AWCs, ASHAs and faculty and students from GCW and other educational institutions.
At Budgam, the main function to celebrate 13th National Voters Day was held today at the Sheikh-Ul-Alam Hall, Budgam which was chaired by the District Election Officer/Deputy Commissioner Budgam, S F Hamid.
Speaking on the occasion, the DC deliberated on the importance of celebrating the National Voters Day and said that the right to vote empowers citizens to exercise his/her franchise for nation building and for making the democracy strong.
He said this day provides us an opportunity to reach out to the new voters for enrolment in electoral rolls so that they are able to take part in the Democratic process. He said that every single vote is counted and is important for the government formation.
On the occasion, ADC Budgam, Dr. Nasir , CEO Budgam Mushtaq Ahmad , Dy. Election officer Shakeel ahamd, PRIs, BDCs, DDCs, Officers from District administration and all other participants took pledge to participate in the election process free and fairly and vowed to contribute in making the nation strong by using their franchise.
The ADC also addressed a large gathering and highlighted various aspects of National Voters Day. He talked about the importance of Election voter identity card (EPIC) and informed the function that 20 new eligible transgender voters have been enrolled in the District.
CEO Budgam, Mushtaq Ahmad said, “Right to vote is our constitutional right”. One should actively participate in the process of elections by casting their votes, thereby strengthening democracy, he added.
On the occasion, this year’s song “Mein Bharat Hun, Bharat hai muj mein” was inaugurated by DC in presence of all the participants.
Functions were also held at Townhall Budgam, SDM offices, Tehsil Offices, PHE, Social Welfare, District Handicraft office, Labour office, Chief Medical Officer’s office and all other offices of the District. Pledges were also taken in this regard.
On the occasion, painting and essay competitions were also held in almost all schools of the district, in which a huge number of student participants were enthusiastically seen participating to celebrate National voters day.
At Ganderbal, the 13th National Voters’ Day (NVD) was today celebrated across district Ganderbal by holding pledge taking ceremonies and other activities at Sub-Division, Tehsil, Panchayat and various other levels.
In this regard, a main event was organized in the Conference Hall of Mini Secretariat Ganderbal in which District Election Officer (DEO) Ganderbal, Shyambir administered the NVD Pledge to all the participants.
Additional District Development Commissioner, Mushtaq Ahmad Simnani, President Municipal Council Ganderbal, Advocate Altaf Ahmad Lone; CPO, Irfan Giri; ACP Feroz Yehya, Dy DEO, Councilors and other district and sectoral officers were present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, DEO said that the purpose of celebrating NVD is to create electoral awareness amongst citizens and encourage them to participate in the electoral process. He said that the theme for 13th NVD ‘Nothing Like Voting, I Vote for Sure’ is dedicated to voters which conveys an individual’s feeling and aspiration towards participation in the electoral process through the power of their vote.
Deputy District Election Officer highlighted various activities carried out under SVEEP and said that specific interventions were made to register eligible voters in the district and desired results were achieved during Summary Revision of Electoral Rolls in the district.
At Pulwama, the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Pulwama, Baseer-Ul-Haq Choudhary, who is also the District Election Officer administered voters’ pledge today on the 13th National Voters Day (NVD) at Pulwama.
Speaking on the occasion, the DC said that the main aim of celebrating the Day is that democracy should reach grass roots level so that more and more people take part in the democratic process.
As per the instructions of the ECI, the DC said that newly registered voters are Ambassadors of the democracy in Pulwama. He said that a vote empowers the youth to implement their ideas for shaping up the future of the nation.
The DC said that greater electoral participation helps in making good policies which in turn make the roots of democracy stronger. He said Responsible Voting is the key in the development of any Nation and urged the concerned officers to work on mission mode so that maximum people can participate in democratic process.
He congratulated the newly registered voters and hoped that more people would register themselves and participate in the electoral process.
The DC appreciated the electoral team and urged them to work with added zeal and dedication to ensure that they reach to the last voter so that maximum voter participation is ensured. He also stressed on widening the ambit of electoral literacy.
Speaking on occasion, DDC Chairman Bari Andrabi said that the main purpose of the NVD celebration is to create electoral awareness amongst citizens and encourage them to participate in the electoral process.
A special film on the electoral process was screened on the occasion with a detailed description of the electronic voting machines and VVPAT.
Chairperson DDC Pulwama, Bari Andrabi, SSP Pulwama, DDC Members, BDC members, Municipal President and Councillors, Additional District Development Commissioner Pulwama, ACD Pulwama, Principal GDC Pulwama, Assistant Commissioner Panchayat, Tehsildar Pulwama,, officials of District Election Office, BLOs, newly registered voters, and other concerned officials were present on the occasion.
At Kupwara, the District Administration Kupwara today organized various colourful functions across the district to celebrate the 13th National Voters Day (NVD).
The main function was held at Town Hall Kupwara here and was presided over by Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kupwara (District Election Officer), Dr. Doifode Sagar Dattatray. Dy. District Election Officer, Mehraj-u-din Wani; CEO Kupwara, Abdul Hamid Fani; Tehsildar Kupwara, ENT, besides, BLOs and election staff were present on the occasion.
Addressing the function, the DC highlighted the importance of celebrating the National Voters Day. He said the district has 514000 registered voters which include 76944 voters enrolled recently during the Special Summary Revision campaign.
He appreciated the election functionaries especially BLOs, AEROs, EROs for making achievements in terms of huge voter enrollment in the district adding that this is a big achievement which needs to be celebrated.
The DC added that enrollment of cent percent voters promise a free and fair election.
On the occasion, speakers including Dy. DEO, CEO and others spoke and threw light on the importance of celebrating National Voters Day.
A voter pledge was also administered by the DC to the participants.
Later, the DC awarded mementos and certificates to various officers, BLOs and election staff for their best work.
At Handwara, the National Voter Day function was chaired by Additional Deputy Commissioner, Nazir Ahmad Mir. Tehsildar Handwara, concerned officers, BLOs were present on the occasion.
Meanwhile, a voter pledge was taken by the participants and awards were also distributed among officers and officials for their best efforts.
National Voters Day was also celebrated at Tangdar. On the occasion, SDM Karnah, Dr. Gulzar Ahmad Rather chaired a function consisting of Tehsil/block level officers and BLOs. A Voters Pledge was also taken and awards were distributed.
Similar functions were held in Trehgam, Sogam and Langate to celebrate the National Voters Day and Voters pledge were taken.
Meanwhile, National Voters Day was also celebrated at Polling Station level, ERO and District Levels. The Panchayati Raj Institutions and Educational Institutions across the district also observed the NVD.
At Shopian, the 13th National Voters Day was celebrated today across the district with enthusiasm and fervour amid chilling weather conditions and continuous Snowfall.
The main event was held at the Mini secretariat Shopian where the District Election Officer (DEO) Shopian, Sachin Kumar Vaishya presided over the function.
The function was attended by all the District Officers and the newly enrolled voters.
The newly enrolled voters were felicitated with badges and cards carrying 13th NVD theme and other information related to greater participation in electoral process. The function started with the song followed by the pledge taking ceremony.
The DEO in his address informed the audience about the importance of voting and participation in the electoral process.
At Zainapora, Mushtaq Ahmad Lone, SDM (ERO-36) held an impressive celebration which was also attended by Tehsildar Zainapora BLOs, officials of SDM office and a good number of Voters attended the function.
Lone threw light on the importance of Vote, Voters right and choice in the vibrant democracy of our country.
Voters Pledge was also taken and BLOs were apprised about their responsibilities towards strengthening the democratic system.
Similar celebrations and pledge taking ceremonies were also held in Tehsil Headquarters of Kellar, Imamsahib, Keegam, Shopian and Harmain.
Besides, pledge taking ceremonies were held in every Govt Office and at Polling Stations.
At Kulgam, a mega function was held today at the mini-secretariat here to commemorate the National Voters Day.
The function was presided over by Chairperson District Development Council (DDC) Kulgam, Mohd Afzal Parrey and District Election Officer Kulgam (DEO) Kulgam Dr. Bilal Mohi-Ud-Din Bhat.
Besides AEROs, EROs, BLOs, PRI members and newly registered voters participated in the programme.
On the occasion, the District Development Council Chairperson highlighted the importance of the day.
Addressing the gathering, the DEO said that celebrating National Voters Day gives us an opportunity to sensitize the people about the importance of vote in democracy and development and to take part in the democratic process and do their part in strengthening democratic values of the Nation.
He further said that the day has unique significance in developing confidence and interest among the newly enrolled voters and simultaneously enables in revisiting the role of all who already are exercising their franchise in nation building and for making democracy strong.
The DEO complimented the electoral team, BLOs, VLWs and other field functionaries for working tirelessly during the summary revision process. He also stressed upon the concerned to organize a series of awareness programmes in other areas.
Dy-DEO, EROs and other speakers also spoke on the occasion and highlighted the significance of National Voters Day. Stress was laid on participation in the electoral process by smartly and actively casting their vote so that real fruits of democracy can be achieved.
Pledge taking ceremonies were also held at the mega function and other places across the district.