Principal Correspondent
Kohima, January 25
Nagaland Chief Secretary C. J. Ponraj, IAS while expressing that adult franchise (vote) is a social contract between the rulers and the public, today called upon the electorate to have attitudinal change while exercising their franchise to reap the benefit of good and vibrant government.
Addressing the 5th National Voters’ Day celebration as the chief guest at Hotel Japfü here this afternoon, Ponraj, who has been into the administrative services of the State in different capacities for the past more than 30 years lamented that there has not been any change in the entire electoral process of the State.Recalling that he had faced at least eight out of the 13 elections in the State, he pointed that the undemocratic practices during the elections like proxy voting, booth capturing and selling of votes during parliamentary polls are hampering the individual’s rights.
He also said that declaration of support to particular candidate by village council under the fame of being traditional institutions and also to maintain the unity of the village is denying the individual’s right.
In this, the Chief Secretary also called upon the student bodies in every village to raise up to instill the values of electoral system that is required for free and fair election. He also urged upon the media houses to play a pro-active role in creating awareness on rightful exercise of the adult franchise.
He also administered the NVD pledge to the participants, which read “We, the citizens of India, having abiding faith in 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”.
The celebration was organized under the aegis Chief Electoral Officer Nagaland in collaboration with the District Election Office under the theme ‘Easy Registration, Easy Correction’.
The day focused to enroll all eligible desirous citizens. Awareness was also created on registering one person in one place only, thereby promoting surrender of duplicate registration while also to eradicate ghost electors, if any.
On the occasion, awards for best District Election Officer, Electoral Registration Officer, Assistant Election Officer, Assistant Electoral Registration Officer and Booth Level Officers were also handed over to different government servants.
Chaired by CEO Nagaland Sentiyanger Imchen, IAS Rite-u T. Mero read out her award winning essay on ‘Clean Election’.
‘Youth can shape state’
Staff Reporter
Dimapur, January 25
In Dimapur, a function was held at Deputy Commissioner’s Office Complex with Commissioner of Excise, IAS, Maongwati Aier as the chief guest. The chief guest said that when Nagaland is facing uncertainty, the young can shape the state and change its system through power to vote. He challenged the youth to empower themselves with voting rights by enrolling as young voters and equip themselves with the power to change the nation.
With many youths of Nagaland left out without getting them enrolled, he voiced out that the power of one vote can change the political system of the country.
“Right from the age of 17 years the process to enroll the youth as young electors should start so that by the time they turn 18 they have the right to vote” opined the Excise Commissioner.
Dimapur Deputy Commissioner (DC) & District Election Officer (DEO) Wezope Kenye delivering the message from Chief Election Commissioner of India, recalled that India had witnessed a record-breaking voters’ turnout with more than 55 crore voters and out of which 26 crore were said to be Indian women during the 2014 assembly elections.
On the day the district administration also announced the winners of essay writing competition which was organized on the theme ‘Role of a citizen on clean electoral roll for clean election’. The winners were awarded with a certificate of appreciation and cash prize.
Out of 21 participants from various schools Kahito Awomi of Assisi Higher Secondary School Dimapur bagged the first position. He was awarded with a cash prize of Rs.10, 000. The second position was bagged by Tongpangtangla of Christian Higher Secondary School Dimapur and was awarded with a cash prize of Rs, 6000. The third position was bagged by Rachael Swu of Eastern Academy Higher Secondary School Dimapur who received a cash prize of Rs, 3000.
MON: Mon observed National Voters’ Day with Deputy Commissioner & District Election Officer, Angau I Thou, IAS as the chief guest at DC’s Office meeting hall.
Addressing the gathering, the Deputy Commissioner called upon the youth to be an ambassador to disseminate information on National Voters’ Day to ensure complete enrollment of eligible voters as voiced by the Election Commission of India. She asserted that every responsible citizen is an icon and ambassador in disseminating the information on democratic rights of the people. She also appealed to be aware of the day for greater participation of the electoral roll once they reach the age of 18 years.
The DC also gave away the prizes to the winners of the essay competition and to the participating students as well. She also lead the voter’s Pledge to uphold the democratic traditions of our country and the dignity of free, fair and peaceful elections. Hautick Assistant Teacher of GPS, Kongan village was awarded the best BLOs.
