From Our Correspondent
TURA: In an endeavour to curb unethical and illegal practices during the upcoming State election, the Peoples’ Forum for Ethical Voting (PFEV) on Wednesday organised a public meeting at Dadenggre Bazar.
Dikki D Shira, SDO (Election), Dadenggre Civil Sub-Division & Returning Officer for 44-Raksamgre and 45-Tikrikilla constituencies, spoke about the aims and objectives of the meeting and urged the people not to be influenced by material gifts, money, alcohol etc., from the candidates.
Explaining to the gathering about free, fair and peaceful conduct during election, Shira, who is also the convenor of PFEV, said the people should refrain from illegal practices and not fall for temporary splendours that the candidates and parties may offer to lure them to get their votes.
Zenithsky J Sangma, ADC, Tura and Returning Officer of 49-Dadenggre constituency asserted that every vote is precious and the people should come to cast their votes in their respective polling stations without fear or manipulation.
In order to encourage the gathering a short skit relating to the present time of election was presented by the Garo Students’ Union of Dadenggre.
Others who spoke at the meeting were Father Anthony Thekkanath, Parish Priest of Dadenggre Catholic Church, Pastor Phitin Momin from Seventh Day Adventist Church of Dadenggre and Sujata D Shira, President of Mothers’ Union, Dadenggre.
Also present at the meeting was Rupa M Marak, president of GSU, Dadenggre, Alberth G Momin, EAC and Assistant Returning Officer of Dadenggre.
It may be mentioned that the PFEV was formed on February 11 at a meeting held at the Dadenggre Civil Sub-Divisional Officer’s Chamber.
The PFEV would continue to organise similar public meetings and also distribute pamphlets, pledge cards, and hold poster and banner campaigns in and around the three constituencies.
SVEEP campaign
The District Election Officer, West Garo Hills, has for the past few months been engaged in a massive campaign organising awareness programmes throughout the district headquarters on the Systematic Voters Education and Electoral Participation Plan (SVEEP) to ensure greater participation for a stronger Democracy by ensuring that no section of the society is left out in exercising their franchise.
With a few days left for the polls, the SVEEP is now focusing on ethical voting by the electorate without being swayed by money or muscle power, caste or creed.
The District Election Office has roped in the participation of religious institutions to propagate the message of ethical voting through Sunday mass and worship. The effort will be to stress on voting by conscience for the right candidate unaffected by caste, creed and communal considerations.
Meanwhile, a similar campaign was also organised by the District Administration (Elections) of East Garo Hills at Williamnagar Main Market on Wednesday. About 500 people participated in the awareness programme. The Balsrigittim Youth Club also presented a short skit highlighting the need for free and fair election.