CEO urges voters to vote without fear

Correspondent KOHIMA, MARCH 26 CHIEF Electoral Officer Nagaland Sentiyanger Imchen has also appealed to all the people, particularly the first time voters, to cast their votes without fear. “We should all come out in a festive mood and take part in the largest democratic exercise in the world,” he said.Speaking at the inaugural programme of the campaign of the three-day Voters’ Awareness Campaign in the Conference Hall of Red Cross Complex, Kohima today, the CEO expressed hope that people will take advantage of the information made available at the awareness drive and be enlightened responsible voters. He also highlighted the ECI’s aspiration to increase citizens’ participation in the exercise of democracy through its Systematic Voters Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) programme, and promotion of ethical voting. He said the ECI programmes are not just about creating awareness but to inform people about various election rules and procedures to voters particularly those from far flung areas who are unaware of how to vote and enrol themselves. On the State being tagged as one of the states of India with the largest voter turnout, the CEO candidly said this was not because of the people’s awareness or keenness to take part in the exercise of democracy, but due to certain systematic failures and malpractices like rampant proxy voting, impersonation, multiple voting and booth capturing. He asserted that more awareness needs to be created laying emphasis on ‘one man one vote’ and that people should be encouraged not to sell their votes. Also highlighting various activities of the state Election department, Imchen said the department has partnered with the YouthNet and NBCC to propagate clean and fair elections and also to encourage young voters to come out and exercise their franchise. Later, the CEO also inaugurated photo exhibits on voters’ awareness. Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity (DAVP) assistant director Manikant Thakur, in his welcome address, informed that DAVP in collaboration with the ECI is running Voters’ Awareness Campaign across the country to encourage people’s participation. “We have to celebrate this democracy, and democracy has to be celebrated through voting,” Thakur said while underscoring that the people must empower themselves by choosing their representatives. “More turnout means stronger democracy… Higher participation means a stronger representation,” the official asserted. While appreciating that Nagaland has achieved the distinction of having the biggest voter turnout in the country, Thakur called upon the people of the State to spread the message and cast their votes. The campaign is being organized by the Directorate of Advertising & Visual Publicity (DAVP) in collaboration with the Election Commission of India (ECI) and Chief Electoral Officer Nagaland with the objective to reach out to the people various information relating to election procedures. As part of this campaign, a photo exhibition has been put up and there will also be a live demonstration on the usage of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) to create awareness to first time voters. The programme was compeered by DIPR APRO Lolano Patton while vote of thanks was proposed by DIPR deputy director, Kevizayieno. It was informed that the Voters’ Awareness Campaign will also be held in Dimapur from March 31 to April 2.