Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation activities for voters' awareness in Dima Hasao

A Correspondent

Haflong: The district administration under the SVEEP (Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation) campaign has intensified voters' awareness programme throughout the district of Dima Hasao to familiarize people with EVM and VVPAT.

Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Election Officer Amitabh Rajkhowa has also appealed to the people of Dima Hasao to participate in this election by coming out in large numbers and exercise their right to vote. In his appeal, the DEO has urged all to cast their vote for the welfare of the country. The appeal is being widely publicized through All India Radio and fixed loudspeaker in Haflong and Maibang.

Various activities such as mock programmes, detail demonstration, distribution of leaflets in local languages, posters, and road shows are being organized in Haflong and other parts of the district. Two permanent demonstration booths have been set up at the Deputy Commissioner's office and near the Treasury Office at the NRC centre.

As part of the SVEEP, a one-day Election Quotient Quiz was organized for the school students on March 21 at Don Bosco Higher Secondary School, winners of which represented Dima Hasao in Guwahati on March 28.

The Electoral Literacy Club (ELC) set up at school and college level acts as a platform to engage school students through interesting activities and hands-on experience to make them aware on their electoral rights and familiarize them with the electoral process of registration and voting. ELCs are present in schools, colleges and rural communities. Especially for the rural communities, chunav pathshalas have been organized to stimulate and motivate members to think and ask questions.

A team of SVEEP officials under Nodal Officer Zagir Khan has been carrying out extensive mock programmes to train on EVM and VVPAT in every nook and corner in the district. Their team has taken up awareness campaigns in Mahur, Maibang, Langting, Dihangi, Diyungbra, Umrangso, Retzol and Harangajao. In Haflong town, most of the places covered so far are Jatinga, Bagetar, Fiangpui, market area, Songpijang and Muolhoi and rest are in process. Special emphasis has been given on those polling stations where the total voter turnout was less than 10 per cent in the last election. So far total mock votes cast during the mock programmes are approximately 11,500.

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