National Voter’s Day celebrated in Hailakandi

Guwahati, 25 January 2019:

The 9th National Voters’ Day (NVD) was celebrated in Hailakandi for enhanced participation of citizens in the electoral process.

Speaking at a function organised by the election branch of the district administration at Women’s College here on Friday, Deputy Commissioner, Hailakandi, Keerthi Jalli urged the voters to assert their right by exercising their franchise to strengthen the edifice of democracy. Jalli further asked the youth who have attained 18 years to enrol their names.

The Deputy Commissioner said the district administration will ensure that the upcoming Lok Sabha election is conducted smoothly and in a peaceful atmosphere. She warned that stringent action would be taken against anyone disturbing the peace and communal harmony.

Addressing the gathering, Additional Deputy Commissioner, EL Fairhiem said the National Voters’ Day is being observed to create voter awareness and outreach, especially among the new voters.

Election Officer, Rahul Doley said the day has been dedicated to the voters of the country and to spread awareness among voters for promoting informed participation in the electoral process.

At the end of the function, the national voters’ day pledge  to ‘uphold 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’ was taken by the Deputy Commissioner and other officials.

The day was also observed in government offices across the district. In the run-up to the event, quiz and drawing competitions on the theme of democracy and electoral participation were organised among the school students to instil democratic values.

The NVD is celebrated all over the country on January 25 every year since 2011 to mark the foundation day of Election Commission of India (ECI), which was established on 25th January 1950.

The main purpose of the NVD celebration is to encourage, facilitate and maximize the enrolment, especially for the new voters.

The ECI has instituted National Awards for Best Electoral Practices and this will be conferred on officers for their outstanding performance in the conduct of elections. In addition, awards will also be given to civil society organisations and media houses that have made outstanding contribution in the field of voters’ awareness and outreach.

In view of the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections, ‘No Voter to be Left Behind’ has been selected as the theme for the NVD.