In order to ensure enhanced participation of citizens in the electoral process and to encourage the newly eligible voters, various awareness programmes were held across the Jammu division to celebrate the 9th National Voter’s Day with enthusiasm.In Jammu, officers and officials working at the Directorate of Tourism took a joint oath at the Tourist Reception Centre here to uphold the democratic traditions by participating in the election process.They pledged to vote in every election without being influenced by considerations of religion, race, caste, community, language or any inducement.Director Tourism Jammu, Om Prakash Bhagat and other senior officers were present on the occasion.In Samba, district administration organized a function to celebrate 9th National Voters Day at Government Degree College Samba.Chief Guest, Arvind Kotwal Additional District Development Commissioner Samba, congratulated the participants present for upholding the novel principles of a healthier and vibrant democracy. He said that the public at large should exercise their right to vote, which is not only a fundamental duty but also a moral obligation in taking part to make India a thriving democracy.Deputy District Election Officer Khalid Hussain and other concerned officers were also present. At Kathua, the 9th National Voters Day was observed at every booth, block and tehsil level to sensitize all the eligible voters about the significance of voting. At district headquarters, the main function was organized at GDC where Deputy Commissioner, Rohit Khajuria was the chief guest besides ADC, ADDC, ACD, ACR, RTO, CEO, Principal GDC, Deputy District Election Officer and other district officers students were present.The Deputy Commissioner laid thrust on the need to make fair use of their right to franchise. He said that Voters Day is a measure to enhance participation of citizens, especially the youth, in the electoral process.
On the occasion, demonstration on the working of EVM and VVPAT machine was also given by the Dy DEO. Besides pledge taking ceremony prizes were distributed among the winner students who participated in the symposium.During the event theme based skit was presented by the District Information Centre.At Bhaderwah, the National Voters Day with the theme “No Voters to be Left Behind” was celebrated with Additional Deputy Commissioner Dr. Ravi Kumar Bharti (ERO) as chief guest.Later, the National Voters Day was also celebrated at court complex Bhaderwah with Chairperson Tehsil Legal Service Committee (TLSC) Bhaderwah, Renu Dogra Gupta as chief guest.At Reasi, Deputy Commissioner, Dr Sagar Dattatray Doifode, chaired various events organised to commemorate celebration of Voter’s Day. Speaking at a function at Government Higher Secondary School, Pouni, DC highlighted the significance of the day and stressed on massive participation in the electoral process. Meanwhile, an interactive session was organised in which District Sessions Judge, Kamlesh Pandita, was the chief guest.Additional Deputy Commissioner, Rajinder Sharma, district officers, elected members of Reasi Municipal Committee and students were present during the celebrations.At Poonch, District Legal Services Authority in collaboration with SVEEP celebrated “National Voters Day” with theme “No Voter to be Left Behind”.The function was presided over by Chairman District Legal Services Authority, Zubair Ahmed Raza, and attended by Chief Judicial Magistrate, Special Mobile Magistrate; Chief Education Officer and members of SVEEP team, Bar Association members, senior citizens, litigants, youths besides locals. The importance of the National Voters Day was highlighted and the public was educated about the importance of participation in elections.At Poonch, the National Voter’s Day was celebrated at GDC Poonch with District Development Commissioner, Rahul Yadav, flagging off a voter awareness rally from Girls HSS Sheesh Mahal Purani Poonch. ADDC Abdul Hamid, ADC Krishan Lal, senior officers besides students were present on the occasion.
Another rally was taken from Boys HSS Poonch besides rangolis with message of maximum voting and importance of voting were displayed at Girls HSS.The rallies culminated at GDC Poonch where a programme was organized to celebrate Voters Day.DDC informed about the seriousness of Election Commission of India towards spreading awareness among the voters. He also shared the helpline number 1950 for the queries and complaints regarding elections.A pledge was also taken on the occasion.At Udhampur, the Day was celebrated at District Headquarters with theme “Accessible Election’’ in which District Election Officer, Ravinder Kumar was the chief guest.DEO highlighted the objectives of celebrating this day. He said that massive awareness programmes have been organized under SVEEP and the celebration of National Voters’ Day is also one of the initiatives taken by the ECI under this programme.Various cultural programmes were presented by the students of Government M.L Higher Secondary School, Shivalik College of Education and Romaloo Ram & Party highlighting the importance of the Day. Later, DEO flagged off awareness rally in which students and specially challenged voters participated.The DDC also inaugurated District Contact Centre bearing toll free number 1950 for the convenience of voters at district headquarters Udhampur. He administered pledge to all the participants to uphold the dignity of elections and vote in the elections without any fear, inducement or influence.Similarly, National Voter’s Day was celebrated at Government Girls Higher Secondary School Ramnagar wherein Sub- Divisional Magistrate, Farrukh Qazi was the chief guest.
Various Cultural programmes were organized on the occasion. Among others, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Gurvinderjeet Singh besides other district officers of various departments were present on the occasion.Meanwhile, National Voters Day was celebrated at GHSS Kandoli Nagrota, in which prominent persons and students participated.A rally was organized from GGHSS Kandoli Nagrota which culminated at GHS Kandoli Nagrota followed by NVD pledge and National Anthem.On the occasion, the new voters were provided with a badge with its logo "Proud to be a voter - Ready to vote.”At Ramban, the District administration organized the main function to commemorate the National Voters’ Day at Maitra with theme “No Voter to be left behind” in which DDC, Showkat Aijaz Bhat, was the chief guest.On the occasion, young voters spoke on the importance of the Day.SSP, Anita Sharma, ADDC, Nawab Din, Deputy DEO, Zaheer Abass Bhat, district officers, teachers, ASHA, Anganwadi workers and students were present on the occasion.DDC flagged off an awareness rally taken out by the ITI students. The DDC said that no voter should be left behind from registration and asked the officers, ASHA and Anganwadi workers to ensure registration of all eligible voters. He also administered oath to all participants to pledge for being a sincere, unbiased, fearless and responsible voter.Meanwhile, the NVD was also celebrated at Batote, Gool, Banihal, Ramsoo, Tehsil headquarters and all government offices across the district. At Doda, the National Voters Day was celebrated with District Election Officer, Anshul Garg, as chief guest. SSP Doda Mohammad Shabir Malik was also present.The DEO highlighted the importance of the day and asked the registered electors to utilize their power of vote for development and upliftment of the district by electing right candidates irrespective of caste, colour, region or religion. He distributed Cash and Certificates among AEROs, Supervisors and BLOs besides a pledge taking ceremony was also held.A cultural programme was also performed by the artists of Cultural department Doda.The students carrying banners and playcards raised the slogans highlighting the importance of participating in the electoral process.Master trainer Fayaz Mehta also demonstrated the use of VVPAT and EVM machines.Similar programmes were organized at all the Sub Divisions and Tehsils where EROs and AEROs administered pledge.ADC Kishori Lal Sharma, Deputy District Election Officer Haroon Rashid Naik, Chairman MC Doda Ved Parkash officers of various departments, representatives of various political parties, prominent citizens, ASHAs, AWCs and large number of young boys and girls were present on the occasion.
At Kishtwar, to mark the National Voters Day, various programmes including cultural programmes, pledge to the participants, distribution of EPIC cards, symposium on the Topic "Role of Voters In strengthening the Democracy" and felicitation of Best performing BLOs were held at GHSS Boys. District Election Officer, Angrez Singh Rana was the chief guest and SSP Kishtwar was the guest of honour on the occasion.DEO appealed all the eligible voters to register themselves as voters and sought maximum participation in the electoral process. He sensitized all the participants about helpline number 1950.ADC, briefed the participants about National Voters Day and the importance of Vote in strengthening the democracy.Winners of quiz and symposium were felicitated with certificates and prizes besides best performing Booth Level Officers were also honoured. New EPIC cards were also distributed among the new eligible voters. Similar functions were held across the District at Panchayat, Block HQs and Tehsil HQs level.Among others present during the occasion were ADC, Pawan Kumar Parihar, district officers besides school staff, students.At Rajouri, District Election Officer, Mohammad Aijaz Asad flagged off an awareness rally to mark National Voters day in which more than 1000 students participated.Among others, Assistant Commissioner Development, Akhter Qazi, Deputy Election Officer Amarjyoti Raina, and heads of various institutions were present on the occasion.Aimed at to create awareness about voters' participation under Systematic Voters Education and Electoral Participation, the rally after passing through DC office and bazar culminated at the Degree college Rajouri.The DDC exhorted upon the students to act as change makers and spread the message of effective electoral participation. He said democracy allows people to speak their minds and shape their own and the future of the nation.A colorful function was organized at Degree College in which students presented various theme based cultural items besides a symposium on National voters day was also organized.DEO felicitated the officials who have done remarkable work during the urban local body and panchayat elections besides honouring booth level officers. Besides, EPICS were also distributed among first-time voters.