Meghalaya joined the rest of the country to observe National Voters’ Day today.
Official programmes were held in district headquarters, the state capital and other places.
In Shillong, Governor Phagu Chauhan reiterated the importance of exercising our franchise said that voting is not only our right but our constitutional responsibility. With approximately 100 crore voters, India is the largest democracy in the world and the Lok Sabha elections which will be held in our country this year, is the biggest single event in the world till date, he said.
He urged citizens to vote in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and expressed confidence on the election machinery to conduct the election in a peaceful and free-fair manner.
Chief Secretary Donald P Wahlang stressed on the importance of electoral awareness and the importance of participating in the electoral process.
Chief Electoral Officer Dr. B D R Tiwari informed that the State has had an increase of 1.42 per cent in the number of voters, as per the final published photo electoral rolls. The total number of electors in Meghalaya currently stands at 22, 17,100.
An information book on General Elections to Meghalaya Legislative Assembly 2023 and KAP Endline Survey Report for Citizens of Meghalaya was also released on the occasion.
In Resubelpara, North Garo Hills, Deputy Commissioner (Election) AK Singh addressed a gathering to emphasise the importance of the right to vote and he urged all eligible voters to enroll under the electoral system.
EPICs were distributed to newly-enrolled voters and district and village level SVEEP icons were felicitated.
In Jowai, EPICs were also presented to newly-enrolled voters.
Altogether 49 new voters of the four Assembly constituencies – Nartiang, Jowai, Raliang and Mowkaiaw – were facilitated today in different polling stations of the district.
The day is celebrated with the theme, “Nothing like voting, I vote for Sure”.
District Election Officer BS Sohliya and other civil servants were present on the occasion.
Sohliya urged citizens to avoid spreading fake news, encouraging them to check and confirm the sources are accurate and seek information from the district administration if such a situation arises to prevent misunderstanding during the election period.
Earlier, a drawing competition for disabled voters on the theme ‘Election and Voting’ was held. A cycle rally was also organised in collaboration with the office of the District Sports Officer.
In Nongstoiñ, District Election Officer Garod L.S.N Dykes thanked the new voters and lauded the tireless efforts of the election functionaries in conducting the summary revision.
EPIC card distribution, felicitation of new voters, demonstration of EVM and VVPAT, Slogan Writing and Drawing Competition, as well as an award for the best performing Booth Level Officer (BLO) from the district was held on the occasion.
National Voters’ Day sports events were also held. In Shillong, the Chief Electoral Officer of Meghalaya, BDR Tiwari, along with the District Election Officer of East Khasi Hills, RM Kurbah, flagged off a ‘Democracy Run’ in the morning. A voters’ day run was also held in Patharkhmah civil sub-division where over 100 people took part.
