Port Blair, Jan 25: The 14th National Voters Day with the theme 'Nothing like voting, I vote for sure' was celebrated in A&N Islands today. To mark the Day, a UT level function was organized in TGCE auditorium in which the Chief Electoral Officer, A&N Islands, Shri B.S. Jaglan, IAS, was the chief guest. EPIC to newly registered voters was also issued and pledge on NVD was administered by the CEO to the gathering in the presence of District Election Officer, South Andaman, Ms. Veditha Reddy, IAS, Joint CEO, Shri Dilkhush Meena, IAS, ADM (SA), Smti Nandini Maharaj, IAS, Officials of Election Department, students, BLOs and others.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Electoral Officer, A&N Islands greeted the Islanders on the occasion of the 14th National Voters’ Day and stated that India is the largest democracy in the World and every eligible voter has the right to vote. He said, as per the directions Election Commission of India, the Election Department is organizing series of activities aimed at maximizing voter enrolment by building awareness amongst all sections of our society. The CEO said that voter enrolment is continuing and urged upon every single citizens of these Islands, who has attained the age of 18 years to register themselves as voter to exercise their franchise.
While reminding the important role played by the BLOs in the election machinery, the CEO urged them to meet people at their respective areas to enroll, if anyone is left out. He said that cash awards will also be planned for the BLOs for their outstanding works during the election process. A committed effort is required by all so that voting percentage in A&N Islands increases in the coming Lok Sabha Elections. The CEO also appealed to all the eligible voters, especially the youth in the age group of 18-19 years to register as an elector to take part in the electoral process for stronger democracy to fulfill the theme of the Commission "Nothing like voting, I vote for sure".
The CEO also gave away prizes to the winners of various competitions organized among school and college students as part of the NVD celebrations. The CEO also felicitated Shri K. Anves and Shri Shiva Kumar, BLOs of Port Blair and Ferrargunj respectively for their painstaking efforts to register new voters and for creating awareness about participating in election process.
In her address on the occasion, the District Election Officer, South Andaman, Ms. Veditha Reddy, IAS, said, National Voters’ Day is celebrated on January 25 every year across the country to mark the Foundation Day of Election Commission of India, i.e. 25th January, 1950. The main purpose of the NVD celebration is to create electoral awareness amongst citizens and encourage them to participate in the electoral process, she added. The District Election Officer, South Andaman also urged the BLOs, students and others present to help the eligible people to get their names enrolled who are yet to enroll themselves as voters.
The Deputy Manager, IT, District Office, South Andaman, Shri Shishir Mishra informed the gathering about the Voter Helpline Number and other Apps available for the benefit of the Voters.
The Nukkad Natak staged by the staff of PBMC on the importance of voting & power of vote and the message conveyed through the skit to keep aside all the household work and go for voting on ‘Election Day’ was appreciated by one and all present in the auditorium. The trainees of B.Ed presented welcome song befitting the occasion.
The function concluded with the vote of thanks proposed by the OIC Election, Shri Anand Vardhan Mishra.