Assam Governor Prof Jagdish Mukhi exhorts youths to exercise franchise

GUWAHATI: With a view to generating awareness among the young voters for effective participation in the electoral process, Assam Governor Prof Jagdish Mukhi on Tuesday called upon the voters of all age groups, especially the new voters, to exercise their franchise for a stronger, participatory and vibrant democracy, stated a press release.

Attending as the chief guest at a function on the occasion of the 12th National Voters' Day, organised by the Election Department at Pragjyoti ITA Cultural Centre in the city, the Governor said, "The first National Voters' Day was observed in India in the year 2011 to generate awareness among young voters to take part in the electoral process. Celebration of National Voters' Day has great significance. As we know, the right to vote constitutes the basic democratic right of every Indian citizen who has his or her name enrolled in the voter list. It is the duty of every eligible Indian citizen to register his or her name in the electoral roll".

The Governor also said that the officials mandated for the task should ensure that every eligible citizen is registered in the electoral roll following statutory procedures. Registration as a voter bestows an Indian Citizen the right to vote and, in turn, elect a government of his choice. A better informed and educated voter can always choose a better candidate through the electoral process.

It may be noted that the theme of this year's National Voters' Day, 2022 is 'Making Elections Inclusive, Accessible and Participative'. This theme is integrated to the existing cardinal principles of the Election Commission of India, which puts emphasis on registration of every eligible citizen as a voter, conduct of elections in a free, fair and safe manner and providing assured minimum facilities to voters at the polling booths.

It is important that voters get the minimum facilities of toilets, drinking water, waiting sheds, ramps, wheelchairs in every polling booth on the polling day.

The Governor hailed the efforts of the Commission to make elections inclusive, accessible and participative. In order to make the registration and other processes faster, smoother and error-free, submission of applications through online mode through various digital platforms have been encouraged. Moreover, during special summary revision in Assam, more than 76% of applications have been received online.

Mukhi appealed to all the officials of the electoral system to work tirelessly and sincerely to make elections inclusive, accessible and participative in truest sense. He also congratulated the office of the Chief Electoral Officer guided by the Election Commission of India for having conducted the recent General Elections to Assam Legislative Assembly, 2021, in a free, fair and safe manner. Conducting the elections amidst the COVID-19 pandemic was a hugely challenging task. The Governor also expressed happiness that the State, showing exemplary discipline and dedication, has bagged the Best Performing State for Election Management.

The Governor further called upon the eligible citizens to register as voters and vote with pride and urged the members of Election Commission to promote the value of ethical voting, participation in the electoral process so that the nation would continue to grow from strength to strength.

Additional Chief Electoral Officer Pradip Kumar Doley, Deputy Commissioner, Kamrup Kailash Kartik N and a host of other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

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