KOHIMA, JANUARY 25: Nagaland on Tuesday joined the rest of the country in celebrating 12th National Voters Day by encouraging eligible youngsters to enrol in the voters list to be part of the largest democratic process.
In his message during the virtual celebration on the theme “Making elections inclusive, accessible and participative”, Nagaland Chief Electoral Officer V ShashankShekhar said during the Special Summary revision (SSR) conducted in November last in Nagaland, his office received more than 50,000 applications, most of which were for registration as new voters.
Nagaland currently has over 12.67 lakhs voters, of which 6.29 lakhs are women, he said while further encouraging all eligible voters to enrol and exercise their franchise.
“We hope that everyone, every citizen, will make all efforts, individual and collective, to strengthen the electoral process and to manifest the true spirit of democracy”, said Shashank.
Voting is the central pillar of any functioning democracy and India has adopted the principles of Universal Adult Franchise since 1951. The National Voters’ Day was initiated in 2011 to commemorate the foundation day of Election Commission of India January 25, 1950, with an aim to raise awareness, maximize enrolment of new voters, encourage and facilitate the young voters to participate in electoral process.
On the day, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio took to twitter saying, “A successful democracy is one where every citizen is able to participate in the electoral process. Let us ensure that no voter is left behind.”
The main purpose of the NVD celebration is to encourage, facilitate and maximize enrolment, especially for the new voters.
Speeches encouraging eligible electorates to enroll in the voters list to be able to elect their own representatives were delivered by State SVEEP Icon and Miss Nagaland Kawimaningsiliu and State SVEEP Icon for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) Ashe H Kiba.
The day was also marked by the presentation of awards for Best Booth Level Officer, handing over of EPIC to new voters and an online poster with slogan writing competition.
The CEO also led in taking the Voters’ Day Pledge which reads “We, the citizens of India, having abiding faith in our democracy, hereby pledge to uphold the democratic traditions of our country and the dignity of free, fair and peaceful elections, and to vote in every election fearlessly and without being influenced by considerations of religion, race, caste, community, language or any inducement.”
On the occasion, Kohima District Award winners were also given to best Booth Level Officers (BLOs). They are Dzuvilhoukho Medoze Hindi Teacher, GMS Tasazhu Jotsoma of 8 Western Angami A/C; Peuhaube, Field Asst. Dte of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services of 9 Kohima Town A/C; Kelhouneisa, Physical Education Teacher, GMS D Khel of 10 Northern Angami-I A/C; Khriezotoulie Francis, Carpentry Instructor, GHSS Chiechama of 11 Northern Angami-II A/C; Enache Mesen, Teacher i/c, GPS Ehunnu of 12 Tseminyu A/C; Kelethuto Khazo, LDA, PWD (Mechanical Wing) of 14 Southern Angami-I A/C; and Kikrocho Yongo, Carpentry Instructor, GHS Sakhabama of 15 Southern Angami-II A/C.
Meanwhile, Supolepdom Kichu, Class 12 of Mezhur Higher Sec School bagged the first prize in Online Poster with slogan writing competition on the theme, “”My Vote is my Right-The Value of Vote” for Electoral Literacy Clubs (ELCs); while second and third prizes were bagged by Keneino Thorie, Grade XI A, Northfield School and Imsuakum, Fernwood School respectively.
(Page News Service)
