the goan I network
MARGAO
Governor Mridula Sinha on Friday reminded that democracy has bestowed the right to vote on every citizen irrespective of their status and background as she made a fervent plea to the voters to exercise the right with responsibility in the elections.
Speaking at the 9th National Voters Day, a State level event organised by Chief Electoral Officer, Panaji in coordination with the Collector and District Election Officer, South at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao on Friday, the governor urged the young voters to enroll themselves to exercise the right to vote.
Centered on the theme “no voter to be left behind”, the governor said that Voters Day is celebrated to encourage more young voters to take part in political process.
“National Voters Day has its own importance. Looking at the history we can understand that voting is the major right which democracy has bestowed on us. Voters decide to change and they do it when they feel that decisions affect the healthy society,” she said, adding ‘in some countries, women still do not enjoy the right to vote, but in our country, women enjoy equal right with men when it comes to exercising the right to vote’.
Applauding the efforts made by EC for creating the awareness on the importance of voting and enrollment of new voters, the Governor said, “external cleanliness is not just enough but our body, heart and mind should be clean while we perform the voting right in democracy.”
Chief Electoral Officer, Goa, Kunal, IAS said National Voters Day is a great occasion to celebrate spirit of democracy in form of recognising the voter as the pivotal of democracy.
He said the final publication of electoral roll of Goa has been carried out and called upon every voter to check their names or their friends or relatives names are added. Kunal informed that voter Helpline No. 1950 is functional and Election Commission of India has launched an android app Voter Helpline through which the citizens or voters can access the electoral data.
Maintaining that Goa has been the pioneer State to implement EVM and VVPAT in all the polling stations, Kunal informed they will be launching very extensive voter awareness, demo and educational programme with respect of EVM and VVPAT for the benefit of new voters, migrant and shifted voters.
Special campaign “Cast It With Care” (seed bombs), Mat Disha a new game for ELC, Chunav Patshala and voters awareness forums (in 2 version i.e. Floor game and board game) designed by State Nodal Officer, Isha Sawant, Booklet “Chitra Naketra” on innovative campaign by the office of CEO and video of accessible election was launched on the occasion.
Use your judgement to decide whom to vote: Mohanan
Panjim: Education Secretary Nila Mohanan, IAS, on Thursday urged youngsters to use their independent judgement while deciding whom to vote for, and told them not to be influenced by others. While reminding them of the importance of exercising their right to vote efficiently and meaningfully, Mohanan also told them that to do this, they had to be aware citizens.
“Each and every vote is very valuable to determine the future of the State and country,” said Mohanan, speaking at the ninth National Voters Day function organised by the North Goa Collectorate at the Directorate of Art and Culture on Friday. “There is no democratic nation without the voters,” she said, “But despite knowing this, many of us do not use our vote, which is a criminal offence, not as per the IPC, but as per our conscience,” she told the young voters, who were being given their voters cards.
Congratulating the youth who had registered as voters in North Goa, Mohanan, who is also the former North District Collector explained to them their three-fold responsibility as voters.
“It is not enough to receive a voter card, you must use it the first opportunity you get,” she said, pointing out that the first opportunity for them to vote would be just round the corner.
“Your third responsibility as a voter is to encourage your peers to vote. There is still time before the elections to register. Please talk about it to your friends who think it is not important. Urge them in a friendly way to apply for the voter card,” she said.
Mohanan also told the youth that exercising one’s right to vote was as important as one’s birthday, as it was a celebration of democracy.
Also present at the function were North District Collector Levinson Martins, and election icons John Aguiar, Mukesh Gotwal, and Brahmanand Sankwalkar.
