In connection with 9th National Voters day (NVD), a series of awareness events were held across the Kashmir Division to educate new voters about the importance of exercising their franchise.The Day is held every year on January 25 to encourage youngsters, who have reached the age of 18, to participate in the electoral process. The central theme for the 9th voters Day is “No Voter to be Left Behind”.At Srinagar, Divisional Commissioner Baseer Ahmad Khan administered the Voters' Pledge to newly enrolled voters and senior administrative officers during a function held here at Government College for Women, M.A. Road.On the Occasion, Divisional Commissioner highlighted the significance of National Voters Day. He lauded the efforts of Booth Level Officers (BLOs) for conducting door to door campaign in most difficult conditions for the enrollment. He urged them to work on mission mode so that maximum people can participate in the democratic process to strengthen the roots of Democracy.Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Dr Abid Rashid Shah, who is also District Election Officer said that the new voter enrollment has increased in the district due to the hard work of Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and ALOs. "Our Election Registration Officers (EROs), Assistant Election Registration Officers (AEROs), and Booth Level Officers (BLOs) are working dedicatedly for transparent summary revision" he said.He welcomed new voters and urged them to aggressively participate in the Democratic process.Later, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir distributed Electoral Photo Identity Cards (EPICs) among a group of newly enrolled voters who were highly enthusiastic for having the cards first time. He also felicitated best EROs, AEROs and BLOs for their hard work.
Nodal Officer SVEEP, Assistant Commissioner, Principal Women College, all Election Registration Officers (EROs), Assistant Election Registration Officers (AEROs), Booth Level Officers (BLOs), new voters and other concerned officials were present on the occasion.At Bandipora, various programmes were held across the district to educate new voters regarding the importance of exercising their franchise.The main function was held at Mini-Secretariat where Deputy Commissioner ( District Election Officer) Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary attended the function as chief guest, while Superintendent of Police Sheikh Zulfikar Azad, Additional Deputy Commissioner Zahoor Ahmad Mir, Joint Director Planning Abdul Majeed Karnai, Deputy District Election Officer Bandipora Rafiq Ahmad Lone, Nodal Officer SVEEP Gh Mohammad Lone, District Information Officer Jahangir Akhoon were also present on the occasion.
On the occasion, officials informed that 9035 new eligible voters including 4165 males and 4870 females have been enrolled in the district.It was given out that the net addition after new additions and deletions during Special Summary Revision was recorded at 4790 taking the total electors of the district to 231283 including 120042 males and 111241 females.On the Occasion, Deputy District Election Officer Rafiq Ahmad Lone read the Voters'.DC Bandipora expressed satisfaction over the smooth conduct of recent municipal and panchayat elections and lauded the role of the officers in ensuring a peaceful atmosphere. He urged the youngsters to know the strength of their vote and make a statement by using their vote.Similar functions were held at Tehsil headquarters of the district that was attended by officers, students and several newly enrolled voters. At Budgam the main function was held at the Sheikh-Ul-Alam Hall, which was chaired by the District Election Officer/Deputy Commissioner, Dr Syed Sehrish Asgar.Speaking on the occasion, the DEO deliberated on the importance of celebrating the National Voters Day and said the right to vote empowers citizens to exercise his/her franchise for nation building and for making the democracy strong.She said that this day provides an opportunity to reach out to the new voters for enrolment in electoral rolls so that they are able to take part in the Democratic process.She said that every single vote is important for the government making and hence has profound significance.On the occasion, new voters took a pledge to participate in the election process freely and fairly and contribute in making the nation strong by using their franchise.It was informed at the function that 16242 new eligible voters have been enrolled in the District.Similar functions were also held at Tehsil and other offices in the district.At Kupwara an impressive function was organized whereat the District Election Officer Khalid Jahangir participated as the chief guest.Additional Deputy Commissioner, Joint Director Planning, Assistant Commissioner Revenue Kupwara, Tehsildars, field functionaries of different departments associated with election besides concerned BLOs and many newly registered voters were present on the occasion.
Meanwhile, a similar function was organized at Handwara with the theme "No voter to be Lift Behind." Additional Deputy Commissioner Handwara, Gulzar Ahmad chaired the function.At Baramulla, a function was organized at Dak Bungalow with District Election Office Dr Nasir Ahmad Naqash as the chief guest.Speaking on the occasion, the DC threw light on the significance of the Day and said that the main objective of the Day is to ensure that a maximum number of young voters take part in the political process. He said that the Day is held every year on January 25 to encourage youngsters, who have reached the age of 18, to participate in the electoral process.Meanwhile, felicitation prizes were give away to the officers/officials who performed remarkably in the recently concluded urban local bodies elections. These include Best ERO, which was bagged by ADC Farooq Ahmad Baba, best AERO in addition to other commendable prizes.At Anantnag, a grand function was held at Boys Degree College Khannabal to sensitise hundreds of newly registered voters and others regarding the importance and power of the vote.The District Election Officer, Mohammad Younis Malik, while talking about the various dimensions of the democracy, said that with the intervention of the latest technology like VVPAT, the process of voting is getting more transparent and easier which enables a voter to be surer about his/her voting. The DEO further said that voters can register their queries and grievances by using the toll-free helpline Number 1950 and get the related problems redressed. Later a debate on the theme “No Voter to be left behind” was also organised in which students from various schools participated, and were awarded with prizes. A skit on the importance of vote was also presented on the occasion.
At Pulwama, a grand function was organized to mark the day with District Election Officer G.M Dar as the chief guest.The participants were briefed about the election laws, rules, procedures including SVEEP, EVM and VVPAT through comprehensive PowerPoint presentation. The DEO said that the main purpose of the celebration of NVD is to encourage, facilitate and maximise the enrolment, especially for the new voters. Later on, a rally was organised in the premises of the DC office to aware the people about the importance of voting in the democratic setup.At Ganderbal, an impressive function was organized by District Administration wherein the District Election Officer , Dr. Piyush Singla (DDC) participated as chief guest. Speaking on the occasion, the DDC said that the main aim of celebrating the Day is to sensitise the eligible voters to register themselves so that democracy reaches grass root level and more people take part in the democratic process. He congratulated the SDM Kangan who was given best ‘Electoral Registration Officers’ award for doing exemplary enrolment of voters related work in the Sub-Division. He also appreciated the efforts of BLOs to increase enrolment of voters, especially of the newly eligible ones and spreading awareness among voters regarding effective participation in the electoral process.At Shopian an awareness function was held at mini secretariat Arhama to educate voters regarding the importance of exercising their franchise.District Development Commissioner Dr Owais Ahmed was the chief guest.At Kulgam, a series of functions were held across the district, even as the main function was organised at Chawalgam where District Election officer Dr Sshamim Ahmad Wani was the chief guest.On the occasion, the DEO distributed election Cards among the newly enrolled voters. At Kargil the main function was organized by the District Election Authority at auditorium Hall with Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor, LAHDC, Kargil Feroz Ahmed Khan was the chief guest and the District Election Officer Vikas Kundal was the guest of honor.
The speakers highlighted the history, relevance and objectives of celebrating the day.In his address, the CEC congratulated the District Election Officer and his team for having organized the series of programmes at District, Sub District and Tehsil levels with regard to the importance of the day.The CEC urged upon the people particularly the prospective voters to make judicious use of their right to franchise in electing capable and competent public representatives who can work for their welfare in real sense.The DEO spoke about various activities organized under SVEEP and other election related activities in the district. He said that the Special Summary Revision of Electoral Rolls in the district has been completed and 4000 new voters enrolled.The DC said that Voter Awareness Forums (VAFs) have been opened in all departments in the district while as 50 Electoral Literacy Clubs have been formed in educational institutions.The CEC also felicitated the youngest voter, the oldest voter, Best BLO and the Brand Ambassadors with citations and traditional khataks.National Voters’ Day was also celebrated in all the Government offices in the district and Sub Division Drass, Sankoo, Zanskar and Shakar Chiktan besides Tehsil Headquarters and Niabats where the officers, employees, Sarpanchs, Panchs and the local people participated in large numbers.At Leh, the 9th National Voters Day was observed with great enthusiasm and huge participation of young voters at New Ice Hockey Stadium. District Election Officer, Leh Avny Lavasa was the chief guest.Highlighting the importance of the Day, District Election Officer (DEO), said that the main objective is to encourage the voters to participate enthusiastically in the democratic process especially the young voters. Similar programmes of National Voters’ Day also held at Khaltsi, Nyoma and Nubra Sub Divisions.