EC to mark National Voters Day on Tuesday
The Election Commission Of India has decided to celebrate its Foundation Day - January 25, as National Voters' Day marking the end of diamond jubilee programme.
The objective was to increase the voters' enrolment in order to attain universal adult franchise for effective democracy.
Chief Electoral Officer Bhanwar Lal told media persons at the Secretariat on Monday that the day is also intended for enhancing the awareness among the people.
A grand function will be organised at 66,795 polling stations in all the 23 districts and in the city at Hari Hara Kala Bhavan on Tuesday.
The general public has been requested to attend the programme and ensure that they receive the ECI badge; “proud to vote and ready to vote,” photo ID cards, as the booth level polling officers will also participate in the meeting. So far 15 lakh voters have been enrolled and further arrangements have been made to institutionalise changes.
College principals will be made responsible to issue certificate to step up the process of enrolment of students, informed the Chief Electoral Officer.
Mr Bhanwar Lal also said that efforts were being made to remove any lapses in respect of any earlier complaints with regard to missing names in the voters' list, change of address among others.
Where the eligible and employee youth were unable to enrol, their heads of departments would be involved in the process, he said. A toll free number, 18004251110, and CEO's cell number 9848040955 have been furnished to facilitate quicker enrolment and issue of photo ID cards. Besides, the CEO has specifically requested the general public to attend the programme at Hari Hara Kala Bhavan where MPs, MLCs, MLAs, Assembly and Council Floor Leaders, Chief Secretary SV Prasad, State Election Commissioner R Ramakanth Reddy, and Judges of the High Court have been
invited.
The former Election Commissioner JM Lyngdoh will be the chief guest on the occasion.
Former state election commissioner K Madhava Rao, former chief electoral officer M Gopalakrishna and former CEO M Narayana Rao will be guests of honour.
A photo exhibition on the electoral process in India will be the highlight. The exhibition will be open to the public on Jan 25 and 26 from 10 am to 5 pm.