Special Correspondent
Silchar: In order to encourage more young voters to take part in the political process, Government of India has decided to celebrate January 25 every year as ‘National Voters’ Day’. It was initiated from January 25, 2011 to mark the foundation day of the Election Commission set up in January 25, 1950. The then UPA government led by Dr Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister, approved the proposal of Law Ministry to give effect to the celebration of the eventful day. Since then, across the country it has been observed with all solemnity in keeping with the great tradition of democracy in the country, the largest democratic nation in the world.
The election wing in coordination with the district administration of Cachar observed the day on Friday at Gandhi Bhawan in the presence of citizens, teachers, students, BLOs and other officials. The significance of the day was brought out by different speakers present who included Harichandra Bhakta, ADC, Ranadeep Kumar Dam, ADC, Sujit Nath, election officer, Niharendra Narayan Thakur, chairman, Silchar municipal board, Anurag Phukan, circle officer and Dr Swarupa Bhattacharjee, head, department of Political Science, Gurucharan College. It was pointed out that this day has its own significance as the Election Commission of India holds the view that each and every eligible voter of the country should exercise his or her vote to ensure that no one is left out. The target set is to have cent per cent votes in every election, whether parliamentary, assembly or panchayat as well as different civic bodies.
Another important aspect of the wide and large exercise of franchise in the country is that on an average 65% votes are cast. The Election Commission is serious to take it to hundred per cent and with that end it is working. Those who have attained the age of 18 should get their names included in the voters’ lists and the BLO concerned has to work in that direction. October is the month when the names of new voters are included. In order to deal effectively to make it possible, ECI has taken up a vigorous exercise every year in January to identify the voters attaining the age of 18 years in each of the 8.5 lakh polling stations spread over the length and breadth of the country.
Such eligible voters would be enrolled on time and handed over their Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC) on January 25 every year. This initiative is expected to give the youth a sense of empowerment, pride and inspire them to exercise their franchise. In Cachar, as per the information shared there are 11,611,78 voters which include 602092 male and 559009 female. ‘D’ voters are 4494. The newly included voters are 37647.
It is also significant that India among all the nations of the world has the largest number of youths and therefore their participation in each and every election is of paramount importance. It is they who are to decide the fate and destiny of the country. Before the meeting, a colourful procession was brought out which conveyed the message that all should come forward irrespective of cast and creed and exercise their vote without fear or favour. The procession starting from the election office and moving through the main roads of the town converged at Gandhi Bhawan.
Also Read: Cachar News