7th National Voters’ Day
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DC Kohima, Rajesh Soundararajan; Chief Secretary, Pankaj Kumar; CEO, N Moa Aier and Secretary, Lithrongla G Chishi seen during the observation of National Voters’ Day at Kohima on January 25.[/caption]
Kohima, Jan. 26: Since the launching of Systematic Voters Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP), there has been a better management of electoral rolls in the state where more than 2 lakh bogus/multiple registrations have been detected and deleted.
This was informed by Chief Electoral Officer (Officiating) N Moa Aier during the 7th National Voters Day observed on the theme ‘Empowering young and future voters’ at Zonal Council Hall, Kohima.
He said electoral rolls of the State have always been on an upward trend of the growth graph of the electorate which reached its peak at 13.38 lakh voters in 2011. Then, he said the negative growth that is continuing for the past 6 years consecutively has been reduced to 11.38 lakh voters today.
Gracing the occasion as the chief guest, Chief Secretary, Pankaj Kumar spoke on the importance of ‘one person one vote’ - the right of every citizen to exercise his or her franchise.
He said the right to vote is very precious as an equal citizen and that each person’s vote is equal in value. At the same time, he also reminded that with every right there is equal responsibility for every person.
The young voters were encouraged to observe things happening around them, listen, read, converse and debate to enhance their knowledge and experience.
Stressing on the need to do away with the election system in the state, Kumar said it is time t do away with illegal money power where votes are being purchased, muscle power including arms, goons, booth capturing which leads to election of inefficient leaders.
In this regard, he has urged the young voters as a collective force to bring change to the election system by casting their ‘one person one vote’ and also educate others on the same.
Secretary, Cooperation & Director, ARTI, Lithrongla G Chishi said Nagas are not in a position to demand our rights as we have not participated and are never keen in participating in the electoral process.
Though it came a bit late, she said people have realised the need to exercise their citizen’s duty to participate in the election process. ‘Unless we participate and vote for the right person, how can we demand what the democracy says of the people, by the people and for the people’ queried Chishi.
Strongly asserting that everyone must take the trouble and fight for their rights, Chishi recommended that everyone must take a pledge that ‘no one has the right to buy my vote and no one has the right to sell my vote. I will exercise my franchise.’ This in turn, she said will go a long way in the clean election campaign.
She has asked the icons and young voters to create awareness among their people, to go and stand, take a little trouble, cast their vote and make a change.
State Icon (PwD) Diethono Nakhro lamented that people with disabilities represent the most excluded of all groups in Naga society that extends to the election process. She pointed out that little or no attempt has been made to ensure the rights of people living with disabilities to exercise their franchise in the election cycles in the state over the years.
For hundreds and thousands of disabled voters in Nagaland, the election process is something they have never experienced said Nakhro and added that they are excluded from election campaign and information whereby getting to the voting booth is a mountainous struggle.
Nakhro maintained that ‘if we want to take voting rights seriously and ensure this right for every single person we cannot ignore voters with disabilities. If the election machineries take serious inclusion of PwDs it will help the parallel effect of creating awareness among the general public which in turn will go a long way in helping the quality of life for PwDs in the state.
She said it looked forward for more consultations that will ensure full participation of the people with disabilities in the entire election process in the state like pre-poll, proper identification of eligible voters, electoral awareness programmes and campaigns, instructing political parties to campaign materials and speeches accessible, and on voting day taking all steps to ensure that voters with disability are able to exercise their franchise like any other citizen.
Nakhro also suggested on developing an election monitoring system inorder to collect data, surveys and studies to understand the importance of persons with disabilities across the state.
‘Disability right is human rights and it is the right of every single person including person with disability to cast their vote for candidate of his or her choice’ said Nakhro.
The chief secretary also presented EPICs and NVD badges and gave away awards to the best BLOs, winners of essay writing competition, drawing competition and state level best campus ambassador. He also led the National Voter’s Day pledge.
The programme was chaired by Deputy Commissioner & District Election officer, Rajesh Soundararajan and vote of thanks proposed by Deputy CEO, Vekho Vero.
Pughoboto sub-division observed the National Voters Day at ADC office complex in which the ADC and District Election Officer, Pughoboto, Avelu Ruho, challenged the voters to maintain free and fair elections and apprised the newly enrolled voters to shoulders responsibilities with their valuable votes. She advocated one man one vote and called to maintained unity.
SDO (C) and ERO Pughoboto, Er. Namang Sepong Chang gave an introduction on the significance of NVD stating that the day is focused on eligible voters. He informed that 12,600 voters have been enrolled under Pughoboto sub-division, adding 144 new voters were for the current year.
Vice Chairman PATC, Viyikhu Q Wotsa and the president SAKK delivered short speeches during the programme. DEO also distributed identity cards to the newly enrolled electors.
Winners of the essay writing competition Kiheto Assumi of GHS Pughoboto, Janet of New Fountain Pughboto and Shevini of GHS Ighonumi were given prizes.
The best BLO awards were given to Khubu, Hindi teacher of GHS Pughoboto, and BLO Mishilimi Polling Station No. 29. National Voters Day pledge was also administered.
In Aboi, National Voters Day was observed in the ADC’s conference hall with ADC Aboi, Wasu Katiry as the chief guest. He highlighted the message from Election Commissioners of India and distributed the newly enrolled voters and best BLOs awards to BLO 47/2, Nahto Konyak, BLO 48/3 E Pulang Konyak.
TOBU: National Voters Day in Tobu was observed in the ADC’s conference hall. The programme was chaired by CDPO Tobu, Oponthung Odyuo and the keynote address was delivered by ADC Tobu, A Zibanthung Kithan.
Best BLO was awarded to H Khoney Konyak of 55 A/C Polling Station 19 Tobu village. NVD pledge was also administered.
