Meghalaya election dept flies kites to increase voter turnout

Agencies
SHILLONG, MARCH 30

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Meghalaya election department has picked up one of the favourite pastimes of the young and old alike and arranged for a kite flying competition to create awareness among voters, especially the first-timers, and encourage them to exercise their franchise.
With the slogan “Your Vote Counts” etched on them, colourful kites of various shapes and designs drifted along with clouds in the azure sky with enthusiastic people taking part in the competition at the scenic Golf Links here on Saturday.
“We distributed more than 400 kites,” said the deputy commissioner of East Khasi Hills and also returning officer of the district, Sanjay Goyal, who had hit upon the idea to literally fly kites to catch the imagination of the voters.
“I have come here to take part in this unique awareness programme on the importance of voting,” said a professional kite-flyer who came from outside the state.Special kites with torches fitted on them could be spotted in the evening sky as part of the “1001 lights” programme to spread awareness among voters for exercising their franchise when the state goes to the polls on April 9 to elect its two representatives from Tura and Shillong Lok Sabha constituencies.
“We will organize more such innovative programmes in the run-up to the elections,” Goyal said. Competitions on traditional games were also held at the sprawling golf course, food courts were set up, even local bands played live music exhorting the citizens to take part in the world’s biggest democratic exercise.
Meanwhile, more than three thousand officials are being trained for election duty. On the other hand, electioneering is gradually picking up both in Tura and Shillong.
Altogether 10 candidates are in the fray for the two Lok Sabha berths in the state’s share.