Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab, Sibin C. emphasized on increasing voter turnout during the ensuing Lok Sabha elections to surpass National Average by launching mass awareness drive under Systematic Voter Education and Electoral Process (SVEEP) activities across the state. Presiding over the State Level National Voters’ day function held at Amity University, Mohali, the Chief Electoral Officers said, “Theme for this year’s National Voters’ Day is “Nothing like voting, I vote for sure.”
It is a very apt theme considering ensuing Lok Sabha Elections, as the Voters are the backbone of democracy and the democracy is strengthened by enhanced and informed voting. Our constant endeavour is to educate, motivate, facilitate, engage and empower the voters so that they could play their democratic role effectively. Let's renew our commitment for making elections truly inclusive, accessible and participative on this special occasion of 14th NVD.”
He also unveiled the Election Awareness Mascot Shera 2.0 on this occasion to propagate the message of exercising vote. On this occasion, Dr Himanshu Aggarwal IAS , DC Gurdaspur was awarded the best electoral practice award in general category for the year 2023-24 while State Police Nodal Office, Punjab the best electoral practice award in general category police for the year. Besides, Dr. Surjit Lal Assistant SVEEP Nodal Officer, district Jalandhar and Gurbakhshish singh SVEEP Nodal Officer district Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar conferred with excellent work done in SVEEP in the year 2023-24).
A video message of Chief Election Commission of India, Sh Rajiv Kumar was also played on this occasion besides showcasing animated film based on Chacha Chowdhry Characted of comics to aware voters. SSP Mohali Dr Sandeep Garg and VC of Amity University Dr R K Kohli were also among the gusets.
Renowned Punjabi Singer and Actor, Tarsem Jassar joined the event as Punjab State ICON of Election Commission. He made an appeal to the young voters to be the part of the Electoral Process by getting them enrolled as a voter after turning 18 and above. He said those who have already registered as Voters must cast their vote during the election.
The CEO Punjab also felicitated the state ICONs Tarsem Jassar, Late Amarjit Singh Anand (to son Ishdeep Singh), Gurpreet Singh Namdhari (Fine Art Artist), Jagdeep Singh PWD ICON and Mrs Poonam Lal PWD Coordinator. He also administered an oath to the audience and handed over EPICs to first time voters.
In district level awards, SDM Derbassi, Himanshu Gupta, Dr Ravinder Singh from Govt Polytechnic Khoonimajra and Hardeep Singh BLO felicitates with cash prizes worth Rs 2000, 1500 and 1000 for enrolling maximum number of 18-19 years voters in district Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar. Under Trainee IAS Davy Goyal, CDPO Derabassi Suman Bala, Ravinder Kaur Juinior Assistant, Satpal Patwari were also felicitated for enrolling maximum voters under ongoing Gurdwara Borad Elections Enrollment Campaign.
Deputy Commissioner Mrs. Aashika Jain while addressing the audience said that we are filled with proud that our Nation is getting stronger as a democratic country in the world by day by day. We have been realizing the dream of our great leaders to give the right of vote to every eligible citizen as the roots of the democracy lies with the voter. She expressed commitment to ensure transparent and inclusive elections in the coming Lok Sabha elections. She also expressed thanks for giving the opportunity to host state level function at Mohali.
A cultural bonanza based on the performances of Gidha by District Language Department, Bhangra by the students of Vani International School for Hearing Impaired, Luddi by renowned DAR group. A digital launch of fisrt edition of e-patrika on activities of Electoral Literacy Clubs was also launched besides announcing the names of online painting competition in professional and amateur categories.
Earlier an awareness tractor and bike rally from District Administrative Complex, Mohali was flagged off by Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Rajiv Shyamkarn Tidke and SDM Mohali Chandrajyoti Singh that was culminated to Amity University Campus.