Nagaon DC Makes Novel Move to Enlighten Voters

A CORRESPONDENT NAGAON:

Voters Awareness Program in Assam: The novel move of the Nagaon Deputy Commissioner in encouraging the electorates to exercise their right to franchise has evoked positive responses from the masses.

After receiving a letter from Nagaon Deputy Commissioner Kavitha Padmanabhan on March 20, an elated Ramdhan Hazarika (63) — a resident of Telia Pahukata and owner of a grocery shop — told The Sentinel, "The letter was in Assamese. I was requested to go for voting on March 27. I have been also requested to make my neighbours aware of their voting right."

Stating that he was initially hesitant to open the letter when he was told that it was from the administration, he, however, added, "The personal letter from the head of our district administration has inspired me a lot. I will definitely cast my vote; and also ask all our villagers to exercise their right to franchise."

He also observed, "A section of people is ignorant regarding their voting right. This move will help in enlightening them. However, another section of the masses is reluctant to cast their votes. They complain that the public representatives forget their promises and fail to address the issues of the people after the election process comes to an end. Now, I shall try to motivate them too." 

Like Hazarika, more than 4000 people dwelling in the remote areas of this central Assam district have received personal letters from Padmanabhan during the last 48 hours.

When asked, Padmanabhan told The Sentinel on Monday, "This is a first-of-its-kind initiative in the State. The objective is to make the people living in the remote areas aware of their democratic right and responsibility to cast vote.

"We chose the areas where the voting percentages were comparatively lower than the average as compared to the entire district in the earlier elections.

"Our study brought to light that there are almost 60 such polling stations across the district. We have set a target to send letters to at least 50,000 voters of these areas to make them aware of their right to vote," said Padmanabhan.

Nagaon has eight LACs (Legislative Assembly Constituencies). The first-phase polling on March 27 covers Samaguri, Koliabor, Batadrava, Dhing and Rupahihat LACs. The second-phase polling on April 1 covers Barhampur, Sadar and Raha.

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