TURA: The 9th National Voters’ Day was celebrated at multiple functions and venues all across the five districts of Garo Hills on Friday.
In Tura, eligible voters took the voter’s pledge on the day at an elaborate function organized by Deputy Commissioner (Election) at Chandmary Playground in Tura.
Speaking on the occasion as the Chief Guest West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Ram Singh informed that National Voters Day is being held every year in order to facilitate registration of new voters and also to encourage the youth to participate in the electoral process. He informed that the Election Commission of India is doing all possible means to make it easier for people to vote during elections. He also urged all the citizens to uphold democracy in the country and practice ethical voting during election without being influenced by considerations of religion, race, caste, community, language or any inducement.
Skylance G Momin President, Council of Nokmas and District SVEEP Icon who also spoke appealed to all the citizens of the town to exercise their franchise during the time of election since urban areas showed less voting percentage in the previous elections. He requested the newly enrolled voters to know the importance and power of voting rights of an individual including ethical voting and also urged them to choose and vote for the right person who will work towards the progress and prosperity of the nation.
Darlington Sangma, District SVEEP Icon for Persons with Disabilities while speaking at the function expressed his satisfaction to the Election Commission of India for including them in electoral process and for making the process of voting accessible to them.
The Chief Guest along with District SVEEP Icon, Skylance G Momin and Darlington Sangma SVEEP Icon for Persons with Disabilities felicitated the newly registered voters of 18-19 years under 50-North Tura (ST) and 51 South Tura (ST) LACs. The Chief Guest also felicitated the Best Booth Level Officers under West Garo Hills District on the occasion with Certificates and Mementos. Apart from this, the newly enrolled voters were given free BSNL Sim Cards.
It may be mentioned that the celebration of the National Voters’ Day in West Garo Hills is part of the ongoing Tura Winter Festival which was formally kicked off by Deputy Commissioner, Ram Singh on Thursday afternoon at the Dikki Bandi Stadium in Dakopgre.
The highlights of the festival on Thursday include Miss Garo Hills Beauty Pageant, Fashion Show and a Live Concert by Kolkatta based rock band, Underground Authority which performed for the first time in Garo Hills, Gravity from Guwahati including other local bands like Richrocker, Suicide Notes and Eye2Eye.
In South West Garo Hills District the celebration of National Voters’ Day was organized by the Office of the Deputy Commissioner (Election) at the Multi Facility Centre in Ampati.
Besides officials of the district, newly registered young voters, BLOs, nokmas, gaonburas, senior citizens, teachers and students participated in the celebration under the theme “No Voter to be Left Out” and joined in taking the Voter’s Pledge which was administered by the Deputy Commissioner and District Election Officer, Ramkumar S.
The celebration was marked by distribution of EPICs to the newly registered voters, presentation of patriotic songs by students and youths, skit on importance of voting and distribution of prizes to winners of a mini-marathon “Run to Vote” which was held at Ampati on Thursday in the run-up to the celebration. The oldest voter of the district, a 102 year old Devicharan Modak was also felicitation on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Ramkumar S while highlighting the significance the National Voter’s Day, said that the reason that India has emerged as the strongest democratic country in the world was due to its belief in elections and the importance accorded to the young voters. Expressing his pride that Meghalaya had won National Award for best electoral practices last year, he said that we should keep up the honour and exhorted the young and newly registered voters to come out in large numbers to exercise their right to vote without fear or favour.
In East Garo Hills, the day was observed at the DRDA Hall in Williamnagar with the Deputy Commissioner, Swapnil Tembe as the chief guest.
Speaking on the occasion, the Deputy Commissioner urged the people to uphold the democratic tradition by taking part in the electoral process and to vote in every election without any inducement.
Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC), Lavenstone Ch Marak, while delivering the key-note address, urged the young voters to take part in the electoral process and to spread awareness on the significance of election among the fellow citizens.
On the day, the youngest voter, Wanchi Marak, was felicitated by the Deputy Commissioner.
The Deputy Commissioner of Election, as part of the voters’ day celebration, organized the voters’ day run in the morning and Walomi Arengh of Williamnagar bagged the first prize.
Resubelpara in North Garo Hills also joined in the celebration of the 9th National Voters Day at the Resubelpara Mini Stadium.
Addressing the gathering as the chief guest, Deputy Commissioner, S C Sadhu highlighted the roles and responsibilities of the citizens in the electoral process. “In a democracy voters are the most important component without which a democracy cannot function. The major success of a democracy depends upon active participation of all the voters”, said the DC while urging all eligible voters to enhance their participation in the upcoming electoral process.
Pointing on the rampant circulation of fake news, the DC said that circulating of unverified and unjustified rumours pertaining to election matters in social media is a punishable offence. He appealed to all individuals to be responsive to not indulge in such kind of bias activities so as to ensure transparent election.
Marking the occasion, Booth Level Officer’s Jackets to BLOs were distributed and felicitation to the youngest and oldest voters under Resubelpara Polling stations also took place.
South Garo Hills District also observed the day at the DRDA Conference Hall in Baghmara during which district Deputy Commissioner H B Marak was the Chief Guest.
Speaking on the occasion, the deputy commissioner while highlighting the importance of ethical voting said that one should exercise his right to vote carefully and responsibly as this would help us build a vibrant democratic country. He also informed that a toll-free no. 1950 which is a voters’ helpline number has been set up in order to facilitate the citizens in ensuring better services with regards to election matters.
The deputy commissioner along with other dignitaries also led the gathering in taking the voters’ pledge. The celebration was mark by the distribution of EPIC to the newly registered voters, presentation of songs and distribution of prizes to the winner’s of Voter’s Day Run organized in the morning.