State observes National Voters' Day
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR
Imphal, January 25 2018:
Chief Electoral Office, Manipur today celebrated the 8thNational Voters' Day, 2018 on the theme "Accessible Elections" at Gandhi Memorial Hall, Imphal.
The celebration was graced by Chief Secretary Rajani Ranjan Rashmi as chief guest and State Election Commissioner Th Kamini Kumar as guest of honour.
Speaking on the occasion, RR Rashmi said that the motive of celebrating the National Voters' Day is to make young voters understand the importance of voting.
He also elaborated the importance of election, saying that the Election Commission of India came into being even before the Constitution was enacted and it means any democratic nation has to be governed by the laws of election.
He further stated that the EPIC which has photographs, unlike the electoral rolls which were manually printed 10 years ago, showed a great sense of empowerment to improve the voting process and to influence the Government.
India, despite it huge population, is among the leading countries which use electronic voting machine (EVM), and Election Commission of India, the election process and voters deserve to be appreciated for this great achievement of using new technology, he said.
Regarding EVM, the Chief Secretary said that the EVMs used in the country are one of the best, most secured and nothing can be tampered.
Many experiments had shown that the machines are foolproof.
He also urged the young voters not to be carried away by misinformation regarding the effectiveness of EVMs.
He also mentioned about the Election Commission of India's recent decision to have small Electoral Literacy Club in every school which aims at giving awareness and exposure to election process.
He further said that election determines the quality level of democracy where people can exercise equal power through voting.
Th Kamini Kumar said that everyone should participate in the election process and give their opinion through voting.
While explaining about None Of The Above (NOTA) option, he also said that every citizen who is 18 years and above has the right to vote or not to vote for any candidate by just pressing the NOTA option.
National Voters' Day is celebrated on 25th January every year to encourage more young voters to take part in the political process.
It also marks the foundation day of the Election Commission India.
As a part of the celebration, a message of Chief Election Commissioner Om Prakash Rawat regarding National Voters' Day was also shown on a screen.
Other features of the programme were launching of Electoral Literacy Clubs, felicitation of new young voters with EPIC, felicitation of 'millennium voters', State election icons and distribution of prizes of the State level National election quiz, State level essay competition, painting competition and written quiz competition.
Principal Secretary (RD & PR/ Relief &DM) MH Khan; Secretary (MAHUD/YAS) Bobby Waikhom; Director, YAS Naorem Praveen Singh; Joint CEO, Manipur K Bono Singh; officials of Election Department, young voters and school students also attended the function.