The District Election Office (DEO) Bandipora on Saturday organized a road race under Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation program in collaboration with District Youth Services and Sports with an aim to create awareness about the electoral process and motivate the people to actively participate in the process.The District Development Commissioner Bandipora Shabaaz Ahmad Mirza flagged off the road race at Arin village in which more than 250 youngsters participated. The students ran for about six kilometers from Arin village upto Mini-secretariat Bandipora wherein the Deputy Election Officer Bandipora received the athletes.Muzamil Ahmad Gojjar of Higher Secondary Aragam emerged as the winner of the race while Mudasire Ahmad Gojjar of HSS Aragam and Tanveer Ahmad Kalas of HSS Aloosa stood at 2nd and 3rd positions respectively.At the concluding ceremony, DDC Bandipora gave away the awards to the winners while a track suit was also provided to 200 participants.Speaking on the occasion, District Election Office Bandipora urged the students to take active part in games and other extra-curricular activities to remain fit. He said the sound mind resides in a sound body and hence remaining fit should be the priority of a person.
While appreciating the students for participating in the run, Mirza also urged the students to be informed about the electoral process and urged them to inform their family members about it so that they get enrolled in the electoral list.Officials said the aim of the program is to create awareness regarding the voter registration besides urging the younger generation to get enrolled in the voters list and motivating the first time voters to participate in the democratic process by casting their votes. The future voters were also given information with regard to the electoral process so that they participate in the election when they attain the age of 18 years.During the event the officials also organized a training program about EVM-VVPAT machines wherein Master trainers imparted training to participants about handling of EVM-VVPAT machines.Officials urged students to get acquaintance with handling and operation among other aspects of the machines and also appealed for passing the message to the general public so as to ensure maximum voter turnout in the upcoming general elections.Concerned nodal officer threw light on the SVEEP programme during the awareness programme and urged to spread the word about toll-free helpline number and website www.nvsp.in where information can be asked for.District Officer Youth Services and Sports Shafiq Ahmad Peer, Convener Youth Services and Sports Peerzada Khursheed Ahmad Shah and other senior officers of the district were present on the occasion.