In connection with 7th National Voters day (NVD), various programmes were held across the Kashmir aimed to educate new voters regarding the importance of exercising their franchise.In Srinagar the day was held at Government College for Women, M.A. Road. The central theme for the 7th voters Day is ‘Empowering Young and Future Voters.Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Dr. Farooq Ahmad Lone who is also District Election Officer, attended the function as chief guest, while Deputy District Election Officer, all Election Registration Officers (EROs), Assistant Election Registration Officers (AEROs), Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and other concerned officials were present on the occasion. During the function, Message from Chief Election Commissioner of India, Dr Nasim Zaidi was read, which is “The Election Commission of India is privileged and proud to celebrate the 7thVoters Day all over the country. This day is dedicated to the voters of India. On this day, the Commission reiterates abiding faith in democracy and also renews its resolve to uphold the rich democratic traditions and sanctity of free, fair and peaceful elections in the Country.On this day, the Commission welcomes the young voters for electoral participation and Commission hands over the Elector Photo Identity Cards (EPIC) to them. As a major initiative, we propose to felicitate our future voters in the age group of 15-17 years.
The Commission has organized simultaneous celebrations and felicitations at National, State, District, Sub-divisional and the polling station levels. Taking an important step for stronger electoral awareness among future voters of the Country, the Commission, for the first time, has launched an ‘Interactive School Engagement’ Programme for school children with a strategic focus on future voters of age group 15-17 years.Under this programme, Chief Electoral Officers, District Election Officers and the Electoral Registration Officers, visit schools and interact with students of Class 9th to 12th. Badges and Pledges are being administered to future voters. The Commission believe that going forward, aware and informed future and first time voters and youth will be the flag bearers of participative democracy in India. The Commission has undertaken a series of initiatives such as development of rich contents of awareness material, use of IT and social media under its flagship programme, the Systematic Voters Education and Electoral Participation, the SVEEP in short, to enhance constructive engagement and participation of the citizens in the electoral process. On this occasion, I reiterate to the citizens of India that the Commission will continue to fulfill its motto “No voter to be Left Behind” and that “Every vote Counts”. The Commission also commit to the nation that as an autonomous and independent constitutional authority, it will conduct free, fair, peaceful and transparent elections in the most neutral manner.
I once again convey my best wishes to every citizen of India on the National Voters’ Day. I invite all esteemed citizens to be part of celebrations of National Voters Day on 25TH January 2017.”Voter’s Pledge also read where all participants were in a standing manner. The Pledge is “We the citizens of India, having abiding faith in democracy, hereby pledge to uphold the democratic traditions of our country and the dignity of free, fair and peaceful elections and to vote in every election fearlessly and without being influenced by considerations of religion, race, caste, community, language or any inducement.”Deputy District Election Officer informed that 1.75 lakh new electorates were introduced in the voter summary revision of the State in which 75 percent were young voters. He said the Commission has introduced new initiative through which our officers will visit different schools and interact with 9th to 12th class students to aware them about the importance of vote. Besides a media campaign has also started to aware the people about the right to use their franchise. EROs also spoke in this event about the importance of National Voters Day. On the Occasion, District Election Officer, Dr. Farooq Ahmad Lone highlighted the significance of NVD said that from last seven years we were celebrating this important day. EROs, AEROs and BLOs are working dedicatedly for transparent summary revision.
He welcomed new voters and urged them to choose their representatives seriously in Panchayat or Municipal or Assembly or Parliamentary elections that can run and lead the State or Country. Later, DEO hand EPICs among new voters, besides appreciation certificates among best EROs, AEROs and BLOs.Similarly, the National Voters Day was observed at all district headquarters of the valley.At Pulwama, the NVD was observed in Town Hall, where the District Election officer (Deputy Commissioner), Muneer ul-Islam was the chief guest.Speaking on the occasion, Muneer ul Islam said that the NVD provides youth opportunity to taste the power to exercise their franchise at the age of 18 years which is not seen in most of the countries of the world.He also said that Social media, electronic and print media can also play a vital role in disseminating the information about NVD and its objectives. At Shopain, the Day was also celebrated in which District Election officer distributed 300 Election identity Cards (EIC) among newly registered voters including 184 males and 116 females.On the occasion, He highlighted various aspects on National Voters Day in democracy.At Budgam, the National Voters Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm & fervor. The main function was held at the Sheikh-Ul-Alam Hall, Budgam which was chaired by the District Election Officer/Deputy Commissioner Budgam, Mir Altaf Ahmad.Speaking on the occasion, the DEO said, this imitative provides youth a sense of empowerment, pride and also inspire them to exercise their franchise. He said the occasion provides an opportunity to reach out to the new young voters for enrolment in electoral rolls so that they are able to take part in the Democratic process by exercising their franchise.
It was informed at the function that 14515 new eligible voters have been enrolled in the DistrictAt Bandipora, on the eve of NVD, a function was organized at Deputy Commissioners Office under the chairmanship of District Election Officer (DEO), Sajad Hussain.Speaking at the function the DEO highlighted the importance of celebrating the National Voters Day.On the occasion, the DEO distributed EPICS among the newly enrolled voters.Similar functions were also held at other Tehsil headquarters of the District to mark National Voters Day.At Sumbal, the function was held at Community Hall Sumbal where SDM Sumbal distributed EPICS among the newly enrolled Voters. At Anantnag, the 7th National Voters Day on the theme “Empowering Young & Future Voters” was celebrated at Auditorium Hall, Government Degree College Khanabal,On the occasion, The Deputy Commissioner, Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed Shah who is also District Election Officer, said the constitution has empowered the citizens by way of providing opportunity to cast votes to elect the representatives of their own choice.
On the occasion, it was informed that during the Special Summery Revision 2016-2017, as many as 12650 additions were made in the electoral rolls of the district besides 4148 deletions.Similar function was also organized at town Hall Ashmuqam where SDM, Pahalgam, CEO Pahalgam & other officers highlighted the importance of celebrating 7th National Voters DayAt Kupwara, functions were organised by the Election Authority at constituency level at Kupwara, Handwara and Tanghdar to mark the occasion. The main function was presided over by the District Election Officer Kupwara Mr. G.M Dar at Town Hall Kupwara wherein the new voters registered under Electoral rolls 2017 were provided 6589 EPICS on the spot.On the occasion, the DEO underscored the importance of the Day. Similar functions were held at Handwara and Tanghdar wherein the ADC Handwara Peerzada Muzaffar Ahmad and SDM Karnah Shabir Indrabi distributed EPICS among new registered Voter on the spotAt Baramulla, A grand function in connection with the celebration of National Voters day was held at Dak Bungalow, with Deputy Commissioner, Dr.Nassir Ahmad Naqash as the Chief Guest.
Dr. Naqash, Who is also the District Election Officer stressed upon the fact that celebration of National voters day aims at spreading necessary information regarding the right to vote and its importance.During the function, Voter identity Cards were distributed among the newly registered Voters. It was informed that as per the final roll 2017, the total number of voters in district Baramulla is 606438. The additions of 6675 were made during 2017At GANDERBAL, the day was celebrated at Mini Secretariat Ganderbal in which Deputy Commissioner, Tariq Hussain Ganai distributed new Electoral Photo Identity Cards (EPICS) among the new registered voters.Highlighting the main aim of observing National Voters Day, Tariq Hussain said that such events are important to spread awareness among the people especially among the youth, who have attained the age of 18 years and empower them with the right to vote.Later in the event awards were distributed among the participants who bagged the Ist, 2nd and 3rd positions in delivering the speeches highlighting the importance of National Voters Day.DDC holds Press Conference regarding Special Gram Sabha
At Kulgam, the NVD was observed at Government Degree College, Kulgam.
The Deputy Commissioner, Kulgam, Showkat Aijaz Bhat who is also the District Election Officer, in his speech, highlighted the importance of the Day and said that constitution has guaranteed people right to vote without free and fair without having political affiliation/ cast and religion, which empowers citizens to choose government of their choice.While informing about the Summary Revisions 2016-2017 of electoral rolls of the Kulgam district the DEO, said that 5511 persons were registered as voters in the District of which 2525 were females. He said as many as 2032 voters in the age group of 18 – 19 years were added to the electoral rolls, taking the total strength of electorate to 2,64838 in the district.On the occasion, 390 EPICS were distributed among newly registered voters. Similar functions were held at all the Tehsil and Niabat headquarters, besides Sub Division D.H. pora of the district to mark the day.