SHILLONG: Chief Justice of Meghalaya High Court, PC Pant has congratulated that the State for being the first to achieve100 percent photo electoral rolls.
“It is a great achievement which needs to be applauded. I am confident that this celebration will further give impetus to our endeavor to make universal adult franchise a reality by creating awareness regarding our voting rights and importance of effective participation in the election process,” Pant said that while addressing at the National Voters’ Day celebration organized by the State Election Department at U Soso Tham Auditorium here on Saturday.
Meanwhile, he said that the people should be grateful that the founders of the Constitution who have created and given an independent Election Commission which has rendered valuable service to the people of India each and every time it was called upon to do so, Pant said.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) P Naik informed the department is launching a campaign to motivate voters to enroll and participate in the election process for a stronger democracy.
He however stated that the process of enrollment and participation should be voluntary from voters’ end.
Naik further informed that in the last State Assembly elections, the State recorded 88 per cent of voters’ turnout while during the last parliamentary elections it was 64 per cent which is much more than the national average adding that the ECI is targeting to reach 70 per cent in the upcoming parliamentary elections.
Earlier, a Run for Democracy (Marathon) was also organized in the city as part of the celebration.
Over 1000 enthusiast runners both young and old coming from different parts of Khasi Hills region participated in the race, which was flagged-off by the Additional Chief Elector Officer (Add CEO) B Dhar from the State Central Library early in the morning. Noted social activist from the state Michael Syiem also participated in the run and bagged the fourth position in the above 50 years category, while the first, second and third were won by P Kharjahrim, H Marbaniang and E Shyndiar.
In the above 50 years category for women, M Marwein bagged the first prize followed by P Rani, C Synrem, and T Nongspung in the second, third and fourth place respectively.
While from the above 15 years for boys, Michael Sing Ramsiej won the first prize followed by S Jyrwa, J Ramsiej and Hancef Me in second, third and fourth, Kyntimon Marwein, D Marwein, B Marwein and D Iangjuh bagged the first, second, third and fourth from the girls category.
For under 15 category girls, L Ramsiej, E Ramsiej, K Syiemlieh and W Ramsiej bagged the first, second, third and fourth prizes, the boys category were won by E Sungoh, K Mawlong, S Jyrwa and W Majaw in the first, second, third and fourth place besides 20 lucky runners from a drawal of lots. The prizes were distributed by the chief guest to all the winners who also administered the Voter’s Pledge during the occasion.
Newly registered voters felicitated in Tura
Newly registered voters of Polling Stations with the largest enrolment of 18-19 years under 50-North Tura (ST) and 51-South Tura (ST) Legislative Assembly Constituencies were on Saturday felicitated during the National Voters’ Day celebration at DC’s park.
Congratulating the newly registered voters from Chitoktak, Derrangittim Polling Station under 50-North Tura (ST) LAC and Akhonggre Polling Station under 51-South Tura (ST) LAC, West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner and District Election Officer Pravin Bakshi stated there was 100% coverage of photo electoral ID in the district.
He stated that the State was lucky to be covered by Photo Electoral ID unlike other states of the country and laid emphasis on the importance of enrolment of voters who have attained the qualifying age of 18 years and above to make democracy stronger.
Urging voters to practice ethical voting to make democracy stronger Bakshi informed that that the Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) campaign launched in 2012 targeted youth who had attained the age of 18 years or above. The youth has been the special focus during the SVEEP campaign in the district he stated and added that the West Garo Hills systematic voter’s education and electoral participation plan was adjudged the second best in the country last year.
Together with the rest of the country,the National Voters’s Day organized by the office of the Sub-Divisional Officer (E ),Sohra Civil Sub-Division was observed at Sohra Stadium , Saitsohpen, Sohra and in all the polling stations in the Civil Sub Division.
The National Voters’ Day was also observed in South West Khasi Hills District at Mawkyrwat and Ranikor.