Our Bureau
TURA/RESUBELPARA: A district level training for poll volunteers was held at district auditorium, Tura on Friday. On the same day at Harinkata and Mendal, sensitisation on SVEEP campaign was held for persons with disabilities (PwDs) centered on the theme “No voter to be left behind.”
The Tura session was conducted by Aashna Chaprana, campaign manager of a media company, Josh Talks, New Delhi. More than 600 volunteers from leading youth organisations like Bharat Scouts and Guides, NSS and NYK participated in the programme.
The session focused on the origin of democracy and constitutional principles and the role of poll volunteers as facilitators for the physically disabled, infirm and aged.DC and Returning Officer, West Garo Hills, Ram Singh said, “This is the first time that poll volunteers will be deployed for duty in 481 polling stations on polling day in the district.”
The DC urged the people to be vigilant citizens and to rightfully exercise their voting rights to select representatives wisely. Further, he informed that the ECI is engaging poll volunteers along with Anganwadis to facilitate the PwDs to vote and participate in the electoral process. The Accessible Observer appointed by the EC, I R Sangma, and SVEEP Icon (PwD) Darlington Sangma released Form 7A containing the list of contesting candidates embossed in Braille for facilitating the visually impaired.
It may be mentioned that there are 110 visually impaired voters in 84 polling stations in the Assembly constituencies of West Garo Hills district.
During the SVEEP campaign, PwDs were given training on the functioning of EVM and VVPAT.
Also, mock poll was conducted for enlightening the perspective of the PwDs on the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.
Holiday
West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Ram Singh has informed that all State Government offices and educational institution will remain closed on April 11 in order to enable the voters to exercise their franchise in connection with the General Elections to the Lok Sabha.
Further, Industrial Undertaking or any of the establishment governed by N I Act 1881, shop and those which on the shift basis, a daily wage casual workers including those working outside the Constituency shall be entitled to the benefit of a paid holiday as provided in section 133 (b).