Port Blair, Jan. 25: The Lt. Governor, Admiral D K Joshi, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, NM, VSM, (Retd.) has called upon the youth of the Islands, who have attained the age of 18 years, to enrol themselves in the electoral roll and cast their votes during election, to strengthen the democracy of the country. He was addressing the 9th National Voters’ Day at Jawaharlal Nehru Rajkeeya Mahavidyalaya (JNRM) auditorium here today. The theme for this year’s celebration was, “No Voter To Be Left Behind”. The Chairperson, PBMC, Smt. Anusia Devi, Adhyaksh Zilla Parishad, South Andaman, Mr. Sanjib Kumar Mandal, Director General of Police, Mr. Dependra Pathak, PCCF, Mr. Tarun Coomar, were among others who graced the function.
The Lt. Governor said that since its establishment on this day in 1950, the Election Commission has been instrumental in organizing fair and free election in the country. It makes a fair and friendly environment during election not only for politicians, but also for voters to cast their votes fearlessly, the Lt. Governor said. The Indian citizen have been provided the right to freedom of choice as enshrined in the Constitution, and it is the Election Commission that ensure every citizen gets an opportunity to vote and strengthen the democratic system of the country, he said.
The Lt. Governor mentioned that the Election Department is making all efforts to create awareness among people about the significance of voting. State, District and booth level awareness campaigns have been organized with the objective of enrolling all eligible voters, so that no one to be left behind, he said. The Administration is taking all measures to ensure that all eligible voters are enrolled in the voters’ list, especially women and the differently abled persons, by launching www.nvsp.in service portal and helpline, he said.
The Lt. Governor advised all the Heads of Department to ensure that their Officers and staff are enrolled in the Electoral Roll.
The Lt. Governor launched a Voters’ Helpline number, 1950 and distributed Electors Photographed Identity Cards (EPICs) to new voters, including two disabled persons, on the occasion. He also distributed prizes to the winners of various competitions held as part of the National Voters’ day. The Lt. Governor also released the first and second prize winning paintings that was organized by the Election Department. Two Booth Level Officers were also felicitated for their dedicated work.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the Chief Electoral Officer, A&N Islands, Mr. K R Meena informed that efforts are being made to enrol all eligible voters and time to time summary revision, as instructed by the Election Commission of India, are conducted to ensure that no eligible voter is left behind, he said. Stating that conducting election is a massive exercise, he sought the cooperation of all in the endeavour to make cent per cent enrolment of voters.
A Nukkad Natak on enrolment of voters was presented by artistes of Mukta Dhara, a Social & Cultural Organization comprising of Miss Priyanka Talukdar and others.
The function concluded with the vote of thanks, proposed by Ms. Nithi Sarohe, Electoral Registration Officer, A&N Islands.
