Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 58/18

NATIONAL VOTERS DAY CELEBRATION ACROSS THE STATE

At Tura, the eligible voters took the voter’s pledge at a function organized by Deputy Commissioner (Election) commemorating the National Voter’s Day at DC Park, Tura. The theme for this year National Voters Day is “Accessible Election”. While addressing the gathering as Chief Guest, Skylance G Momin President, Council of Nokmas and District SVEEP Icon advocated for conducting more awareness programmes to the general public with regard to the importance and power of voting rights of an individual including ethical voting and also urged the voters to choose and vote for the right person who will further help towards the progress and prosperity of the nation. Deputy Commissioner, West Garo Hills, Tura, Ram Singh informed that National Voters Day is being held every year in order to facilitate registration of new voters and encourage the youth to participate in electoral process. Further, he urged all the citizens including newly registered voters to come out and vote since urban areas showed less voting percentage in the previous election. Stressing on the theme and Meghalaya being poll bound state Voters pledge was also initiated by the Chief Guest during the function. The Chief Guest along with Deputy Commissioner, WGH, Ram Singh and SVEEP Icon, Shekhar K Sangma felicitated the newly registered voters of 18-19 years under 50-North Tura (ST) and 51 South Tura (ST) LACs, Best Booth Level Officers and Millenium voters under West Garo Hills District on the occasion with Certificates, Mementos and cash award. Apart from this, the newly enrolled and millennium voters were also given free Sim Cards of their choice. Basing on the theme, the President of All Meghalaya Association for Persons with Disabilities, Darlingtone Sangma was felicitated as SVEEP Icon on the occasion by the Chief Guest. At Williamnagar, the 8th National Voters’ Day was celebrated at DRDA Hall in Williamnagar where large number of students, young voters, Govt. officials and others took part in the celebration. Speaking on the occasion, East Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, Ram Kumar S, informed the gathering that the day is celebrated to mark the victory of elections in the country. He also said that every citizen in the country should be involved in the election process and for which they should be proud of. To mark the day, the office of the District Election Officer, organized marathon, essay writing and oratorical competitions. On the day, besides distribution of EPICs to the newly enrolled voters, millennium and PWD voters were also felicitated.

At Jowai, the 8th National Voter’s Day was observed at Conference Room, DC’s Office, Jowai where around 60 differently abled persons and 9 millennium voters were felicitated by the Deputy Commissioner during the programme. The Deputy Commissioner urged every individual attaining the age of 18 to participate enthusiastically in the electoral process with a clear conscience. At Baghmara, the 8th National Voter’s Day was celebrated at office premises of the Deputy Commissioner, South Garo Hills, Baghmara. The Deputy Commissioner, South Garo Hills District, Smti S. N. Marak stressed on the importance of ethical voting and that EPIC is not be used as a mere Identity card but should be used for casting of our valuable votes. She also reiterated how a single vote counts and said that we should vote fearlessly without being influenced by any kind of gifts, cash, race, religion, community etc. Besides presentation of songs and dances, distribution of EPIC to the youngest voters was also being done to Miss Bidanchi N Sangma of Dabitbibra and Mr Jensing N sangma of Dabit Ampangdam. At Nongpoh, the 8th National Voters’ day was celebrated at Community Hall Sajer, Nongpoh Ri Bhoi District where the Deputy Commissioner, Shri C.P Gotmare was the chief guest. In his speech, the Deputy Commissioner highlighted on the importance of the right to vote and also the value of casting vote for selecting of representative. He urged the millennium voters to exercise their power in the ensuing election and called upon all the youths to exercise their right to vote in the upcoming election. Other highlights of the programme includes felicitation of Millennium voters of the district, distribution of EPICs to new voters and prize distribution to the winners of Marathon and Penalty shootout with trophy and a cash. Also in the programme, an announcement of District ICONS from PWDs have also been publicized by the District Social Welfare Officer, Ri Bhoi District and there are six persons with disabilities and these are all having voter’s ID Card. During the celebration, a voters pledge was administered by Smt. D. Kharshiing, EAC.

At Sohra, the 8th National Voter’s Day was observed by the office of the Sub-Divisional Officer, Sohra Civil Sub-Division at Sohra Sports Stadium, Saitsohpen, Sohra. In his address, Shri Shantanu Sharma, Sub-Divisional Officer, Sohra Civil Sub-Division enlightened the newly enrolled voters particularly the youth on the importance of the right to vote. He further underlined the importance of voting in an ethical manner and urged the people to exercise their franchise with sincerity, dignity and integrity. Following this, he led the gathering in reading out the Pledge for National Voter’s Day. Later, EPIC Cards for the newly enrolled voters were distributed and a Phawar Competition on the theme was carried out where young students from the Sub-Division participated. At Amlarem, the 8th National Voters’ Day with the theme ‘Accessible Elections’ was celebrated in Amlarem sub-division. The event was organised by the office of the SDO (Elections). Addressing the gathering the Sub Divisional Officer Amlarem, Smt. D.M. Suja, reminded each and everyone the importance of enrolling their names in the electoral roll. Earlier there were two types of enrolment drive, i.e the Special Summary Revision and Intensive Revision, but now there is also a Special Drive in which the B.L.Os perform doorstep visits to all households to create awareness about the importance of enrolment, she added. She exhorted all citizens who have attained the age of 18 years to enrol themselves in the electoral roll. Smti J. Kharpuri, EAC (Elections) Amlarem, delivered a presentation on ‘Ethical Voting’ at the function. Epic cards were distributed to new voters and the ‘Millennium Voters’ were also felicitated with a certificate. ‘Differently abled’ persons were also felicitated at the event. The SDO Amlarem also distributed cash prizes and certificates to the winners of the ‘Run for Democracy’ event organised a day earlier in the Sub-Division. All the participants of the programme also took the NVD Pledge.