In order to create awareness among the voters on the eve of the forthcoming panchayat elections, the Odisha Election Watch in collaboration with the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) launched a massive awareness campaign titled “My vote, my village”, “My vote not for sale” here on Wednesday.
Many dignitaries, celebrities, young volunteers of NSS of the Utkal University, social workers and activists from all over the State participated in the launching campaign.
Speakers on the occasion called for active participation of voters to ensure free, fair and violence-free elections. The campaign would create larger voters’ awareness to increase their turnout and promote ethical voting, they said.
Inaugurating the campaign, eminent freedom fighter Bhabani Charan Pattnaik urged youths to actively participate in the campaign and said the spirit of nationality needs to be inculcated among youths.
Association for Democratic Reforms chief Anil Verma laid emphasis on inclusion of political parties under the Right to Information Act.
Speaking on the occasion, State Election Commission Secretary Rabindra Nath Sahu said nearly 2.60 crore voters would elect more than 1.05 lakh public representatives in the rural polls.