"Systematic Voters Education and Electoral Participation" workshop held
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 17, 2012:
Chief Electoral Officer in association with All Manipur Working Journalist Union organised a workshop on "Systematic Voters Education and Electoral Participation" at Manipur Press Club today.
Inaugurated by Chief Electoral Officer, PC Lawmkunga as chief guest, senior journalist Irengbam Arun and ISTV News Editor Yumnam Rupachandra attended the workshop as resource persons.
Speaking at the inaugural function, PC Lawmkunga said that January 25 is the Voters Day and it would be celebrated Nation wide.
He informed that the population of the State as per the 2011 census report is 2721756 in which 1740819 are the number of voters registered in the electoral rolls.
Out of the total voters, 889897 and 851323 are female and male voters respectively, he added.
PC Lawmkunga expressed that it is the voters who have to elect the leaders and they should be provided education on their voting rights so as to prevent its violation.
Conveying that media plays a big role in providing education to the voters, the CEO further appealed to all voters of the State to elect candidates who could contribute best in the society.
Senior Journalist Irengbam Arun said that money and muscle power has become the basis for contesting election here in Manipur of having money and muscle power.
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He maintained that such candidates who come out at the time election have a notion that they can buy votes with money.
Reminding the rare opportunity to elect representatives, he urged the voters of the State to promote right candidates in the coming election.
He asserted that before casting their votes, people need to review and discuss properly on the candidates' contributions to the society, his qualifications, moral characters including his sensitiveness towards the burning social issues.
Media should also cooperate with the people by providing updated case history of the candidates, he added.
ISTV News Editor Yumnam Rupachandra said that the Indian system of democracy and elections are considered as one of the best by other countries of the world even though it has a loophole where candidates lure voters with money.
He also asked the people of the State to think over the attitudes of the candidates before casting votes.
Moderated by AMWJU president A Mobi, the workshop was attended by the officials of Chief Electoral Office and other journalists of the State.