National Voters’ Day observed in Hailakandi district

Jan.25: National Voters’ Day was observed in a befitting manner here on Monday. At a function organised by the Hailakandi Election District at SS College auditorium, Deputy Commissioner cum District Election Officer, Megh Nidhi Dahal urged the new voters to cast their votes and to motivate others too to make the democratic edifice of the country resilient and vibrant.

Dahal said a true patriot is one who upholds and respects India’s democratic ideals and participates in the democratic process by exercising their franchise. Explaining the significance of the day observed since 2011, Dahal said the new voters must not consider the voter identity card as a document alone but come out in large numbers to assert the greatest democratic right given by the Constitution. “Assert the greatest right given to you by the Constitution as a citizen of the country which everyone does not get. As citizens of the country on whose shoulders the future of the country hinges, you will have to take it forward,” he quipped.

Dahal said unlike the voters living in towns and cities, the turn out of rural voters is high and urged the town and city dwellers to cast their votes in a big way to ensure maximum participation in the democratic process. In this context, the Deputy Commissioner urged the eligible youths who have attained 18 years to enrol their names and to take the lead in motivating others, too.

Speaking on the occasion, Superintendent of Police, Pabindra Kumar Nath urged the youth to consider it as sacred duty to exercise their franchise and to take the country to the pinnacle of glory. Nath said the inherent beauty and strength of our democracy is that every citizen can become a Prime Minister or Chief Minister and urged the new voters to play a pivotal role to further strengthen the foundation of democracy by ensuring cent per cent participation in the electoral process. “Your sole mantra should be we will vote and inspire others to vote too,” he added.

Prominent citizens Dr PK Mazumder, Kamrul Islam Barbhuiya and Head Teacher of Haricharan Girls’ High School, Reeta Chanda urged the new voters to assert their democratic rights conscientiously and assiduously and not to be influenced by any extraneous factors while casting their votes to elect an able and efficient public representative who can address their problems and work towards nation building.

Earlier, Election Officer, Parikshit Phukan highlighted the significance of the day and the slew of initiatives taken by the Election Commission of India to induce electoral reforms and to strengthen the edifice of democracy.
The function was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner, RK Dam, Circle Officers cum EROs Tridip Roy and Saptati Endow. Later, Deputy Commissioner, Dahal and other dignitaries gave away certificates to some newly enrolled voters and also felicitated two booth level supervisors from each LAC for performing their election related matters with sincerity with a certificate, uttorio and shawl.

The voters’ pledge was administered by Additional Deputy Commissioner, Dam. A song and dance show was also put up in the college premises to create awareness among eligible students to enrolment their names as voters. Meanwhile, the voters’ pledge was taken by the officials and employees of all government offices across the district. The theme of this year’s National Voters’ Day is ‘Making our voters empowered, vigilant, safe and informed.’