Itanagar, Jan 25: Chief Secretary Dharmendra attended the 13th National Voters Day celebration as the Chief Guest on Wednesday at the Banquet Hall,Itanagar, organized by the District Election Office, Papum Pare in collaboration with the Chief Electoral Office, Itanagar.
Addressing the gathering the Chief Secretary said "Voting is not just a right but a responsibility of all the eligible voters to excercise their universal adult franchise for building a strong base for a vibrant democracy."
Urging all 18-year-olds and above to get enrolled as voters, the Chief Secretary informed that earlier 1st January was the only qualifying date for publication of the final electoral  roll, but ECI has now notified 1st April, 1st July and 1st October also as qualifying dates in order to improve voter enrollment.
He also said that the voting percentage of Arunachal Pradesh is around 80% which is much higher than country,  but efforts have to be made to ensure the remaining 20% come out and vote.
"Voters awareness programs in the districts and grassroot level  with the assistance of BLOs can improve the voting percentage," he added while urging the DEOs to initiate steps in this direction. Quite impressed with the idea of spreading the message on voting rights , free and fair elections through music,dance and dramas, he congratulated the participants from various schools and colleges for their presentations.
Sandeep Kumar, Principal Secretary, Fisheries  highlighted the importance of National Voters Day and  appealed to the young voters to exercise their voting rights in a free and fair manner.
He also urged them to choose leaders with good vision and ideologies to maintain the true meaning of democracy. DC cum District Election Officer, Sachin Rana delivered the keynote address.  He spoke about the importance of the day and also presented  a brief report on Papum Pare.
During the programme 13 outstanding BLOS from Balijan, Doimukh, Leporiang, Tarasso, Toru, Kimin, Sagalee, Mengio, Itanagar, Banderdewa , Kakoi, Parang, Sangdupota circles were felicitated with certificates and mementos. The winners of the senior and junior category essay writing and drawing competition for the school children, held as a part of the celebrations were also distributed on the occasion.
The ECI song- “Main Bharat Hoon- Hum Bharat Ke Matdata Hain” produced by ECI in association with Subhash Ghai Foundation was also screened. 
At Balijan,
The NVD was also celebrated in Balijan ADC headquarters. ADC Dr. Marchina Boria administered the Voters Day pledge to the gathering. BLOS, Goan Buras and Goan Buris attended the programme.
At Ziro,
The District Election Officer and Lower Subansiri Deputy Commissioner Bamin Nime appealed the voters of the district particularly the youth to avoid taking money during elections in lieu of their votes. Trading your precious votes for pecuniary monetary benefits compromises the development of your place, he said, while appealing the voters to follow and adhere the crusade against money culture during elections launched by the Apatani Youth Association.   
 The virtual message of Chief Election Commissioner of India  Rajiv Kumar and launching of the song “Main Bharat Hoon” was showcased on the occasion. Nine newly registered voters were handed over their new EPIC cards while six best performing BLO’s of the District were also conferred with certificates.
At Bomdila, The 13th National Voters Day with the theme “ Nothing like voting, I vote for sure” was celebrated at Bomdila, Buddha Peace Park. The event was attended by Karma Leki, DC cum DEO West Kameng, among a host of officials and public. Newly enrolled and electors were felicitated by handing out EPICs. The best performing ERO and BLOs were also felicitated for their commendable performance.
Leki while addressing the gathering emphasized on the importance of participating in the electoral process.
At PASIGHAT, 
DEO Tayi Taggu reminded everyone that the power for choosing a good and genuine leader always lies in the voter’s hand. He also quoted the constitution which says all power is vested on the people of India/ Electors of our country to determine the destiny of our country. The DEO also emphasized on the responsibilities and duties a voter carries once he gets enrolled in the Electoral roll and advised everyone to uphold their virtue by practicing fair voting process. Later, E-Epic Cards were distributed to the newly enrolled voters and awards were given to the best BLOs from 3 assembly constituencies under east siang district.
At Roing, the National Voters Day was celebrated with the administering of the NVD pledge, distribution of EPIC to new voters, awarding of appreciation certificates to BLOs and distribution of prize to winners of competitions held to create awareness on NVD, during a function held at the Anchal Samity Hall, Roing.
DC Soumya Saurabh, addressing the gathering, said that the day is celebrated to educate the new and young voters about the importance of voting and the voting process and so advised all to encourage youngster to register themselves as voters on reaching 18 years of age. The theme ‘Nothing Like Voting, I Vote for Sure’ implies the power a voter has in his/her hands, so all voters should ensure that their vote is cast during elections, added Soumya Saurabh. 
At Tezu,
District Election Officer cum DC, Shashvat Saurabh, attended the event as the chief guest, faculty members from IGG College Tezu, HoDs and students of GHSS Tezu attended the event.
Speaking on the occasion, the DC informed that the Election Commission of India was established on 25th January 1950. He urged the school students to study hard and become a responsible citizen and take the nation ahead in all spheres.
On the occasion DC Lohit led the National Voter’s day pledge and “Main Bharat hoon, Hum Bharat ke Matdata” a song by the Election Commission of India was played in the event. 
New EPIC cards were also handed over to the young new registered voters. Prizes for the winners of the Essay writing and drawing competition were also handed over.
At Namsai,
DC cum DEO C.R Khampa, elaborately spoke on Enrolment and Election matters. He said that enrolment alone is not enough but for a democracy to be effective equal participation of all is mandatory in the electoral process. He urged all the eligible voters to get themselves enrolled and explained about the four qualifying dates. He advised all to be fully literate about the electoral processes so as to be able to make informed decisions during voting.
At Aalo,
Joining the rest of the country, the District Election Office Aalo observed the National Voter’s Day.
DC West Siang District,  Penga Tato advised the newly enrolled voters to exercise their adult franchise and to choose the right leader. Money Culture during election must be discouraged, he said.
The District Election Office Aalo selected four best Booth Level Office(BLO); Kirnya Ete and Geba Pakam got the best BLO of 30th Aalo West Assembly & 31st Aalo East Assembly respectively.
The District Election Officer also conducted Essay writing competition on Democracy and election among the students of various schools and the winners were awarded prizes and certificates.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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