Speaker Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Kavinder Gupta attended Special enrollment drive under Systematic Voters Education Programme (SVEEP) held at Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Satwari here today.Speaking on the occasion, Speaker commended the initiative of Election Commission of India for starting a special drive to enroll young adults who are eligible to vote. "The special enrollment drive will focus on youth particularly those between 18-21 years," he added. The Speaker said that enhanced participation of youth in electoral process holds key to country’s growth and development, hence, they must be motivated and encouraged to franchise their right to vote from the very beginning.To aware students of their voting rights and duties, special camps will be held at government and private educational, the Speaker said. “The country has witnessed a steep rise in election participation, as reflected by the increased number of registered electorate who turned up to vote in previous elections”, he asserted.
Speaker asked the concerned officers to closely monitor the enrollment camps for ensuring the maximum enrolment of young and female electors and also to ensure verification of registered electors. No voter shall be left behind in exercising their right to vote, he added. Speaker asked the Booth Level Officers (BLOs), Booth Level Agents (BLAs), and various NGOs to lend their support in ensuring the registration of maximum eligible persons as voters. He asked the concerned agencies to organize more awareness camps in this regard especially in rural areas. Pertinently, a one month long “Special Enrolment Drive - 2017” from 1st July to 31st July 2017 was launched by Election Commission of India to enroll the leftout eligible young electors of 18-21 years.SDM, Sonu Pargal, Principal, Neelam Gandotra, senior leader Baldev Singh Baloria besides BLOs were present on the occasion.