AMPATI: A day-long Young Voters’ Festival featuring food, games, singing and dancing competitions was held at Ampati on Wednesday. Based on the theme for the year, “Accessible Election”, the festival was aimed at creating awareness among the youth on ethical voting and inclusive elections.
The festival was organised by SVEEP Core Team under the office of the Deputy Commissioner (Election), South West Garo Hills and was attended by the Deputy Commissioner and District Election Officer, C.V.D. Diengdoh, District Police Chief, B.W. Momin, district officials, teachers, BLOs and students of the district.
In his address during the inaugural function, District Election Officer, CVD Diengdoh, said that the festival had been organised under the aegis of Systematic Voters’ Education & Electoral Participation (SVEEP) Programme to educate the youth on exercising their right to vote with responsibility.
Explaining the concept of the festival and ethical voting, he said that the festival’s aim is to empower the youth with the knowledge of election process and understand the power they have to decide their own destiny and the future of the country. He urged upon the gathering to use their right to franchise responsibly through ethical, conscious and informed voting and avoid voting for gratification like cash and liquor which vitiates the election process.
He also spelt the initiatives being taken to promote free, fair and inclusive elections by constituting Booth-level Awareness Groups (BAGs) in every polling station and ensuring facilities for Accessible Elections, 2018.
As part of the festival, a Signature Wall was put up at Ampati MFC in which the Deputy Commissioner CVD Diengdoh and SP B W Momin led the officials and students in a signature campaign pledging to vote ethically and not for money.
Hands-on training on VVPAT was also given to the participants.
BDO, Rerapara & SVEEP Core Team Member, Raymond Z.D. Shira and EAC (Election) & Nodal Officer, SVEEP Core Team, Ampati, were among others who also spoke at the inaugural function.
