TURA: Garo Hills joined the rest of the country on Thursday in celebrating National Voters Day as eligible voters took a pledge at elaborate programmes organized by the deputy commissioners for elections to commemorate this year’s theme of “Accessible Election”.
Tura in West Garo Hills led the rest of the region in celebrating National Voters Day by holding a special event on the grounds of the DC park during which first time Millenium voters were felicitated and handed over their election identity cards making them eligible to cast their franchise in the upcoming elections, next month.
The president of the Council of Nokmas and retired IGP of Meghalaya police, Skylance G Momin as chief guest highlighted the importance of each individual vote and ethical voting.
“Since its inception in 2011, Voters Day celebration is becoming popular and people are becoming aware of their right to vote in a fair manner. In a small state like Meghalaya each vote is precious because of the slender margins of victory,” said Momin as he encouraged the young voters to ensure they exercised their adult franchise.
West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, Ram Singh in his address to the gathering 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.
To commemorate the day, as many as 16 first time millennium voters of the district were felicitated and handed over their election identity cards by the chief guest and SVEEP icons. They were also given an opportunity to select a free sim card of their choice.
The millennium voters are first time voters who were born on January 1st of the millennium year 2000 and have attained the age of 18 on the first day of this year.
Millenium voter Nicole Roseanne B Sangma of Tura is thrilled to be eligible to vote. “It makes me feel more responsible as an adult. Everyone should vote because the leaders we choose are the ones who will lead us. We want capable leaders to make our state beautiful,” says Nicole.
For Tengjagring G Momin, another millennium voter of Tura, he says it is a day to remember. “I am overjoyed knowing I can now cast my vote and I’m excited and waiting for February 27th polling day,” says Tengjagring.
As part of the programme Booth Level Officers along with SVEP icon for people with disabilities, Darlingtone Ch Sangma who happens to be the president of the All Meghalaya Association for PWDs, were also felicitated.
Baghmara celebrates: National Voters day was also celebrated at Baghmara DC office premises with the Deputy Commissioner South Garo Hills and District Election Officer Smt S.N.Marak stressing on the importance of ethical voting.
“We should not used our EPIC as mere Identity card but we should used it for casting our valuable votes and for selection of a leader who is capable of carrying our needs and problems to the Assembly.” She also reiterated how a a single vote counts and said that we should vote fearlessly without being influenced by any kind of gifts, cash, race, religion, community etc.
Two first time voters, Ms Bidanchi N Sangma of Dabitbibra and Jensing N Sangma of Dabit Ampangdam were felicitated as part of the celebrations.