Governor Dr SC Jamir on Monday emphasised on more inclusion of youths, marginalised and weaker sections and differently-abled persons in the electoral list while opining that increase in voters’ participation in both Parliament and State assembly election is a healthy sign for Indian democracy.
The Governor said this while speaking on the theme “Inclusive and Qualitative Electoral Participation” of the Sixth National Voters’ Day held here.
He opined that huge awareness programmes and voter’s education are vital to achieve the Election Commission of India’s goal of reaching out to every adult citizen of the country and promoting ethical and wholesome participation in the electoral process.
He said since youth participation in voting fosters a sense of citizenship, builds self-confidence and develops a sense of initiative, it is crucial to bring young people to the poll and make them habitual participants in exercising their voting rights. He urged upon youth to bring in fresh thinking and make themselves the agents of change by enrolling themselves as voter and exercising the Right to Vote.
State Election Commissioner Dr Rabi Narayan Senapati said enrolment of voters and exercise of voting rights would realize inclusive and qualitative electoral participation.
CEO Debendra Nath Gupta gave welcome address and highlighted importance of National Voters’ Day.
The Governor administered Voters’ Pledge and gave away Electors Photo Identity Cards (EPICs) to newly enrolled young voters. He also felicitated international sand artist Padmashree Sudarsan Patnaik and traditional music instrument Guru Purna Chandra Behera for their contribution to voter’s awareness. He too gave away prizes to winners of different competitions held on the occasion of National Voters’ Day. Khordha district Collector Niranjan Sahoo was present on the occasion.