SHILLONG/TURA/AMPATI, Jan 25: The state on Tuesday made elaborate celebrations on account of 12th National Voters’ Day. Different programmes were held throughout Meghalaya to inculcate wider participation of eligible and new voters in the democratic traditions of our country. The theme for this year’s Voters’ Day celebration was ‘Making elections inclusive, accessible and participative’ focusing the commitment of Election Commission of India towards providing for a convenient, wide-reaching and hassle-free election process.
To mark the day, a ceremonious programme was organised in Shillong on Tuesday by the office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Meghalaya, at the State Central Library. Chief Secretary, RV Suchiang, participated in the event as the chief guest where she inaugurated the Photo Exhibition ‘Democrarcy@50’ at the venue and distributed prizes to the winners of the various ELC competitions.
Statiing that the importance of the day was to remind every citizen of their rights as voters, chief guest Suchiang in her speech, highlighted the role and importance of eligible voters in ensuring the proper functioning of democracy in India.
As part of the programme, EPICs were also distributed to newly-enrolled voters and felicitation of State BLO Icon and District BLO Icon were also done.
Earlier, the Deputy Commissioner of East Khasi Hills, Isawanda Laloo, flagged off the walkathon ‘Walk for Democracy’ that began in Madan Iewrynghep and culminated on the State Central Library premises.
Events in Garo Hills
The occasion was celebrated with fervour in West Garo Hills in a programme organised by the Deputy Commissioner (Election) at DRDA, Conference Hall, Tura. Presiding over as the chief guest, West Garo Hills DC, Ram Singh, addressed the gathering and highlighted the theme of the National Voters’ Day.
The occasion was also celebrated in North Garo Hills at Mendipathar Multi Purpose Cooperative Society Hall where the Deputy Commissioner, RP Marak, read out the voters’ pledge and spoke on the success of the election mode of the COVID vaccination campaign in the district.
In East Garo Hills, “Every vote counts and every vote makes a difference” was the message delivered to the public by DC Swapnil Tembe during the celebration of the occasion at Multi-purpose hall, Deputy Commissioner Office in Williamnagar.
As part of the programme, Anilbath Sangma, Election SVEEP Icon East Garo Hills, who became the gold medallist in the National Open Taekwando Championship which was held in Uttarakhand last year, was felicitated as an effort to boost enrolment among the youths.
Centred around this year’s theme, the District Election Officer of South West Garo Hills organised a programme in Multi Facility Centre, Ampati, which was presided over by the DC, Ramakrishna Chitturi, Additional DC, SK Marak, EAC, SR Marak, other district administration officials as well as the newly-enrolled voters and BLOs of the district.