12th National Voters Day celebrated across Kashmir

Srinagar: The 12th National Voters Day was today celebrated across all the districts of Kashmir to mark the foundation day of the Election Commission of India, established on 25th January 1950.The National Voters Day is observed annually on 25 January to spread awareness about the importance of voting in a democracy, it also educates people about their voting rights and encourages youngsters, who have reached the age of 18, to participate in the electoral process.This year the theme of the National Voters Day is ‘Making Elections Inclusive, Accessible and Participative’.In Srinagar, to commemorate the 12th National Voters Day, a function was held at the Meeting Hall of the DC Office Complex, here on Tuesday.The function was presided over by the Divisional Commissioner (Div Com) Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole, who also administered the pledge to new voters and the other participants.Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Mohammad Aijaz Asad who is also the District Election Officer was also present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, the Div Com said that greater electoral participation helps in making good policies which in turn make the roots of democracy stronger.He stressed on responsibility to vote besides the right to vote to strengthen the democratic setup. He said Responsible Voting is the key in the development of any Nation and urged the concerned officers to work on mission mode so that maximum people can participate in democratic process.The Div Com informed that in order to ensure that more eligible youngsters become part of the electorate process; the ECI has facilitated the youngsters to enroll themselves as voters on January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1 every year from January 2022 instead of a single cut-off date that was January Ist.Deputy Commissioner Srinagar who is also District Election Officer also spoke on the occasion and said the significance of this National Voters Day is to create awareness and to encourage youngsters, who have reached the age of 18, to participate in the electoral process, by enrolling or registering themselves in electoral rolls and to exercise their franchise. It is equally important that the newly registered electors are imparted with the knowledge about the importance of their newly acquired power to select the right leaders.

The DC also appreciated the electoral team and urged them to work with added zeal and dedication to ensure that they reach to the last voter so that maximum voter participation is ensured. He also stressed on widening the ambit of electoral literacy.Later, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir also distributed Electoral Photo Identity Cards (EPICs) among newly enrolled voters. He also felicitated best EROs, AEROs BLOs and other officials for their work.On the occasion, it was given out that as many as 642216 voters are registered in Srinagar District so far including 330367 male, 311839 female and 10 transgender .Additional Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Joint Commissioner SMC, Joint Director Planning, SDM, West, SDM, East, Assistant Commissioner Revenue, all Tehsildars of Srinagar District, officials of District Election Office, BLOs, newly registered voters, and other concerned officials were present on the occasion. While members of PRIs, NCC Cadets, officials of RDD, Education, YSS and other departments participated in the event through virtual mode.

At Anantnag: On the eve of National Voters’ Day today, celebrations were held at DC Office Anantnag here.The celebrations were attended by DDC Chairman MY Gorsi, DC Anantnag Dr Piyush Singla, President MC Anantnag Hilal Shah, ADDC, ADC, Principal GDC Anantnag, ACD, ACP, ACR, CEO, members of the media fraternity, newly registered votes among others.The celebrations began with the playing of the national anthem followed by the message of the Chief Election Commissioner. Emphasizing this year’s theme for the National Voters’ Day of ‘Making Elections Inclusive, Accessible & Participative’, he said that to make registrations easier, new voter registrations will be carried out 4 times a year.A special film on the electoral process was played on the occasion with detailed description of the electronic voting machines and VVPAT.Dr Singla said that Voters’ day is a special occasion to celebrate the power of voting rights in a democratic setup. He said that through the elections held last year, a three tier Panchayati Raj system has been established in the UT and has made democratic functioning more participative and inclusive.
He emphasized that last mile coverage of voters is one of the most important instruments for strengthening the democratic process. He congratulated the newly registered voters and hoped that more people would register themselves and participate in the electoral process.DDC Chairman MY Gorsi said the electoral process is an opportunity for the common person to express his/her wishes. He appealed to the youth to register themselves and participate in the electoral process to make it more inclusive. He said that the various initiatives by ECI will go a long way in making the electoral process more accessible.Several newly registered voters including some specially-abled voters were present on the occasion. EPICs were distributed among these young voters and were encouraged to participate in the electoral process.Similar functions were held in all Tehsils of Anantnag. Pledge taking ceremonies were organised in public offices throughout the district.

At Baramulla: To encourage and empower new voters to cast their votes and contribute in nation building, a grand function was today organised at District Election office Baramulla to mark the 12th National Voters Day.District Election Officer Baramulla Bhupinder Kumar chaired the function.Speaking on the occasion, the DEO said that the nation celebrates Voters Day every year which gives opportunity to reach out to the new voters for their enrollment in electoral rolls so that they are able to take part in the democratic process and will contribute to the nation building and do their part in strengthening democratic values of the Nation.He further said that the day has unique significance in developing confidence and interest among the new enrollments and simultaneously enable in revisiting the role of all who already are exercising their franchise in nation building and for making democracy strong.Earlier, the District Election Officer administered the Voters Pledge among the participants stating they shall participate in the election process free and fairly and will contribute as and when their franchise is required. Moreover, new EPICs were also distributed among new enrollments who have attained 18 years of age.Meanwhile, various felicitation prizes were distributed among Deputy District Election Officer, ERO, AERO, NT Election and BLO who performed remarkably in their respective fields.

At Budgam: The National Voters Day was today celebrated in Budgam with Additional Deputy Commissioner Budgam, Nasir Ahmad Lone administering the pledge to district officers, officials Sarpanchs, Panchs and new voters through virtual mode.Speaking on the occasion, the ADC said that celebrating National Voters Day every year gives us an opportunity to reach out to the new voters for their enrollment in electoral rolls so that they are able to take part in the democratic process and do their part in strengthening democratic values of the Nation.He further said that the day has unique significance in developing confidence and interest among the new enrollments and simultaneously enable in revisiting the role of all who already are exercising their franchise in nation building and for making democracy strong.While sharing details, the ADC said that 15846 new voters have been registered in the district since the last summary revision of Electoral rolls.
At Ganderbal: The main function in connection with 12th National Voters day was today organized by District Administration, Ganderbal at the Conference Hall of Mini Secretariat, here.On the occasion, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC), Farooq Ahmad Baba administered the Voter’s Pledge among the participants and distributed voter cards among new voters.Addressing the gathering, the ADC highlighted the significance of the day and briefed the participants about the value of vote. He urged the people to ensure registration of youngsters in voter lists, who attain the age of 18 years for active participation in the electoral process.He also urged youth to involve themselves in the voting process to strengthen democracy.National Voters Day was also celebrated in other blocks of the district including Sub Division Kangan.Among others, the function was attended by Deputy District Election Officer, Ganderbal, DyCEO, other concerned officials besides students from various institutions of the district.

At Pulwama: The Deputy Commissioner (DC) Pulwama, Baseer ul Haq Choudhary, who is also District Election Officer, said that the main aim of celebrating the Day is that democracy should reach grass roots level so that more and more people take part in the democratic process.As per the instructions of the ECI, the DC said that newly registered voters are Ambassadors of the democracy in Pulwama. He said that a vote empowers the youth to implement their ideas for shaping up the future of the nation.Speaking on the occasion, the DEO said that the importance of the National Voters’ Day can be gauged from the fact that it re-affirms the power of the people to determine their own destiny by exercising the freedom to elect their own representatives.Additional District Development Commissioner, Dr. Sheikh Ab Aziz, AERO, besides other district and sectoral officers were present on the occasion.At Shopian: The 12th National Voters Day was today celebrated at Mini Secretariat Arhama Shopian, with Deputy Commissioner who is also District Election Officer (DEO), Shopian, Sachin Kumar Vaishya presiding over the event in virtual mode.While highlighting the significance of National Voters Day, Sachin said that the main purpose of National Voters Day is to encourage, felicitate, and maximize enrollment especially for the new voters.DEO said that greater electoral participation helps in making good policies which in turn make the roots of democracy stronger.Earlier, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Shopian, Mushtaq Ahmed Simnani administered the Voter pledge to the officers and officials of all the line departments at Meeting Hall of Mini Secretariat Arhama, here.ADC highlighted the importance of the day, besides encouraging youngsters to become part of the world’s largest democratic process.Similar programmes were also held across the district amid strict adherence to Covid-19 protocol.

At Kupwara: The 12th National Voters Day was today observed across the district with the main function held at D.C. Office Kupwara which was co-chaired by Vice Chairman DDC, Haji Farooq Ahmad Mir and District Election Officer (DEO) Kupwara, Imam Din.Speaking at the occasion, the VC stressed the need for mass awareness regarding the value of vote among youth. He also said that the officers can play a better role in generating awareness among youth. He also applauded the role of District Election Cell Kupwara functioning under the supervision of District Election Officer. Addressing the function, the District Election Officer highlighted the significance of celebrating the National Voters Day and said that the youth completing 18 years of age shall remain vigilant to get their Election Photo Identity Card (EPIC) for eligibility to cast their votes. He said it is because of new voters, new faces come to the fore for public representation.On the occasion, EPICS were distributed among various new voters and the voters pledge was also administered which reads.Later, the DEO also distributed Certificates of Appreciation among various government functionaries who worked during the election.Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Kupwara, Ghulam Nabi Bhat; Dy DEO ACP, Chief Education Officer and concerned officers/ officials besides concerned BLOs and newly registered voters were present on the occasion.Similar functions were held at Handwara and Karnah sub divisions, where concerned Tehsildars presided over the functions and administered the voter’s pledge.

At Kulgam: 12th National Voters Day was today celebrated across the district with functions in this regard held at all tehsil headquarters, Municipalities and other government institutions, while the main function was held at Mini-secretariat Kulgam.The Chairperson DDC Kulgam, Mohd Afzal Parrey and District Election Officer (DEO), Dr.Bilal Mohi-Ud-Din Bhat co-chaired the programme.On the occasion, the DEO administered a pledge to participants.The District Election Officer and DDC Chairperson greeted the new voters and highlighted the historical background of the day.They said that a voter has power to change the destiny of a nation and in democracy a voter enjoys the highest position and elects the governments by his vote.Later Voter cards were also distributed among the new voters.ACR Kulgam who is ERO-38 Kulgam was also awarded for exceptional and best work; Master trainer for trainings was also awarded during a felicitation programme.The function was attended by ERO’s,Dy-DEO, AROs, and newly registered voters.

At Bandipora: The District Administration Bandipora today celebrated 12th National Voters Day (NVD) with an aim to educate new voters regarding the importance of exercising their franchise.Additional District Development Commissioner Ali Afsar Khan, Dy District Election Officer Altaf Ahmad Mosvi, Chief Education Officer besides other district and sectoral officers and Officials were present on the occasion.During the function, more than a dozen newly enrolled voters were also felicitated and handed over their Elector Photo Identity Card (EPIC). The Commission has recently launched a new initiative to deliver the EPIC to newly enrolled voters, along with a personalised letter and a Voter Guidebook.Speaking on the occasion ADDC Bandipora said that the main aim of celebrating the Day is that democracy should reach grass root level so that more and more people take part in the democratic process. He urged the youngsters to know the strength of their vote and make a statement by using their vote.Similar functions were held at Sub Divisional Level in Gurez and Sumbal, in Degree Colleges, High and Higher Secondary Schools through virtual mode and Tehsil headquarters of the district. Speakers highlighted the importance of National Voters Day and participants took the pledge in online mode with CEO J&K.District Legal Services Authority Bandipora in coordination with Tehsil Legal Services Committees Bandipora and Sumbal and in collaboration with Fourteen Star Public School, Shilwat Sumbal Bandipora Celebrated the Event of National Voters Day through webinar/ online mode.