Assam Electoral Officer Sets Target of 85% Voter Turnout; Massive Election Drive to Woo Voters

STAFF REPORTER GUWAHATI:

Voter Turnout Percentage in Assam Election: The Office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Assam has launched a massive awareness campaign to increase the polling percentage in the ensuing Assembly elections by over 85 per cent.

As part of the 'Systematic Voters Education and Electoral Participation' (SVEEP), the flagship programme of the Election Commission of India (ECI) for voter education and awareness, the Office of the CEO, Assam has engaged prominent personalities to woo people to the polling booths.

The 'Icons' launched under SVEEP in the State include sensational and promising young cricketer Riyan Parag, actor Kopil Bora, para-cyclist Rakesh Banik and singer Anindita Paul. The CEO's office also launched poll mascots, 'Bohag' and 'Bohagi', and released a theme song on Friday.

Addressing the media on Friday, CEO, Assam, Nitin Khade said that the voting percentage in the 2016 assam assembly elections was 85 per cent; and the same in the 2019 Parliamentary elections was around 80 per cent.

"This time, we are targeting a percentage beyond 85 and our slogan will be 'Abkibaar, 85 per cent kepaar', for which we have launched this extensive campaign," said Khade.

Besides, awareness campaigns would also be carried in constituencies where the voting percentage was less in the previous election.

"We will take the help of multi-media channels, social media, print media, et al to take the campaign forward. Besides, there will be live performances, street plays and mob flash dances to generate awareness among young voters. The campaigns are being worked out at the district level; and polling officers are currently on the job," added the CEO.

Khade also said that the polls would be a huge exercise involving between 2.5 lakh and 3.5 lakh government employees besides voters and political parties.

"But this year, the polls will be unique and more challenging as they are being conducted in the post-COVID scenario with the ECI putting in place a set of guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). In polling stations having more than 1000 voters, additional booths will be set up, which also involve more policemen and vehicles," he said.

"Besides, according to the ECI guidelines, a minimum distance of six feet between each voter at a given polling station has to be maintained. Besides, there will be a waiting area for the voters who will be given plastic gloves (before they cast their votes) to avoid contamination (from the EVM)," said Khare.

Khare asserted that the ensuing elections would be ethical, safe, free and fair one.

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