Don't squander right to vote: Dr Dhanabir
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, March 02 2024:
The people have the power to bring about a change in the society by electing a good government.
As such, we must not let our precious right to choose our representative go waste, social scientist Dr Dhanabir Laishram has stated.
He was speaking a one-day awareness programme on Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) organised as part of Integrated Communication and Outreach Programme by Central Bureau of Communication (CBC), Imphal Regional Office under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting at NG Mani College, Chairenthong on Saturday.
The programme was also attended by CBC, Imphal field publicity officer (FPO) Dr Nongmaithem Rina and NG Mani College principal Dr W Jibankumar.
Speaking as a resource person, Dr Dhanabir noted that while there are some who prefer to stay far away from politics, this thinking is not conducive to the overall development of the human civilization.
Any changes in society can be brought about by politics.
As such, instead of squandering away our precious right to elect a government of our choice as citizens of the country, we should use our right in the proper manner so as to elect a good government, he stressed.
Dhanabir continued that until we learn to properly and meaningfully exercise our right to vote, the development process will remain stagnate no matter how high the structures are built.
Presently, there are 94.50 crore voters in the country, of which two-thirds have vague or little understanding of electoral education.
It is up to the people to elect a good government, he said.
Dr Dhanabir then said that it is wrong to give away our precious voting right, which comes every five years, just for some amount of money.
Once an individual attains 18 years of age, he/she is granted the voting right by the Election Commission of India and as such, voters should understand the electoral education so as to exercise this right meaningfully for a better society, he added.
An Integrated Communication and Outreach Programme (ICOP) focusing on Systematic Voter's Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) was also held at Oinam Thingel, Singjamei in Imphal West district on Saturday.
Attended as presidium members by Eikhoigi Club, Oinam Thingel president Oinam Biren, and advisor Oinam Thaba, the event aimed to educate citizens about their crucial role in electing representatives through ethical voting practices.
The programme featured discussions on various aspects of the electoral process, including the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (WPAT), the responsibilities of presiding officers, and the significance of democracy.
Engaging the audience further, an on-the-spot quiz contest was conducted, with prizes and certificates awarded to the winners.
Adding a cultural touch to the event, a theme-based drama on SVEEP was presented by the private registered troupe of CBC, regional office Imphal, M/s Apunba Artistes' Association of Singjamei.