Port Blair, Jan 27: As part of the National Voters’ Day, a function was held at Tagore auditorium, Middle Point here on 25 January 2013. The Lt Governor Lt Gen (Retd) Bhopinder Singh, PVSM, AVSM inaugurated the day by lighting the ceremonial oil lamp. The Lt Governor also administered voters’ pledge to all the eligible voters present on the occasion and gave away Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC) to 10 new eligible voters. He also felicitated two Booth Level Officers (BLOs) for their outstanding grassroots level works and gave away prizes to three students for scoring first, second and third position in the essay competition organized to mark the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, the Lt Governor stated that the National Voters’ Day is very important day for the country as we are the biggest democracy in the world where voters can cast their votes without fear. The main purpose of celebrating the day is to generate awareness among all voters, especially new voters about their right to vote and participate in the election process, he stated.
Expressing happiness that the voting percentage in our islands is better in comparison to some of the other region of the country, he stated that the representation of youth in the election should be maximum and appreciated that our youth have been participating overwhelming in the election process.
He noted with appreciation that with the support of officials and elected representatives, efforts are on to update the electoral roll by removing all duplicate voters from the roll. He further stated that focus is being given on enrolling new voters between 18-19 years of age, for which facilities are created by setting up voter’s registration center in their colleges, launching of online voters’ registration facilities, campaigning through Bharat Nirman Public Information Campaign and launching of Photo (EPIC) festival.
Earlier, welcoming the chief guest and others present on the occasion, the Chief Election Officer, A&N Parliamentary Constituency, Shri Jalaj Shrivastava called upon new voters to come forward and enroll their names in the electoral roll. The function concluded with the vote of thanks proposed by the Dy. Chief Election Officer, Shri Som Naidu.
The Chief Secretary, Shri Anand Prakash, Chairperson (PBMC), Adhyaksha, Zilla Parishad (SA), Chairperson (SSWB), senior officers of the Administration, PRI members, Municipal Councillors and members of the public were present.
