1
Chief Secretary Temjen Toy, IAS speaking during the 10th National Voters' Day 2020 commemorated in the State Capital on January 25. (DIPR Photo)
Nagaland observes 10th National Voters' Day 2020
Morung Express News
Kohima | January 25
The 10th National Voters' Day 2020 was commemorated in the State Capital on January 25 with Chief Secretary Temjen Toy, IAS as the chief guest. Attended by young voters, the theme for the commemoration was “Electoral literacy for stronger democracy.”
Apprising the young voters on the ground realities of the election process in Nagaland, the Chief Secretary stated, “We are probably the most electorally illiterate State in the country going by the way, we go our way in electing our leaders.”
Considering Nagaland as the smallest democracy in India, Toy questioned the unfair tactics played during elections by Nagas. “The ECI have been going all out over the years in spreading awareness in conducting not just a smooth election but a fair election. But how fair are our elections? There has been instances where the number of voters has been even more that its population. There has been instances where the number of votes polled are more than the actual voters list,” Toy pointed out.
The Chief Secretary stated that it is the bounden duty of conscientious voters as citizens of the State to continue to advocate the message of a free and fair election. “During the election the entire face of Nagaland changes. At a personal level, we all need to make efforts. I appeal to everyone to be a part of that change. No amount of campaign awareness is going to help unless we as individuals decide to change. Unless we change, democracy is not going to be strong or effective in Nagaland
We have not moral authority to blame those whom we have elected when we ourselves have behaved the way we have during elections,” urged Toy to the young voters to be missionaries of electoral literacy and empower our villages, its youth, and its women and men.
While it is not an easy task to conduct elections in the largest democracy in the world, Toy acknowledged the efforts of the Election Commission of India and its officers in making sure that election are conducted in a free and fair manner. Over the last ten years the Commission has moved one step forward where they have started looking at in educating the voters in conducting various awareness programs on the responsibility of citizens on the entire electoral process, added Toy.
During the commemoration Abhijit Sinha, IAS, Chief Electoral Officer, Nagaland presented the EPIC & NVD badges to the new voters. In his speech, Sinha delved on the history and functions of the Election Commission of India, and the significance of National Voters' Day. “The significance of the day is to encourage young voters to enroll and effectively take part in the electoral process. It is also a day to celebrate the right to vote and the beautiful and vibrant democracy of our nation,” said Sinha. Speaking on the theme, Sinha noted that electoral literacy is process of transforming citizens into empowered voters by helping them understand the entire electoral process, the necessity to enroll as electors, and participate in the election in an ethical and informed manner. “It is the endeavor of the ECI, and the entire election machinery of the State to create electoral literacy among each and every citizen for strengthening the Democratic roots of the country,” added Sinha.
In a visual message, the Chief Election Commissioner CEC noted that the celebration is a reminder of the Constitutional rights granted to every citizen of India irrespective of caste, color, religion or socio-economic status. The CEC urged the voters to renew and uphold the rich Democratic fabric of the country, as he added 'in a Democracy each and every voters matters.'
During the celebration Yarenthung Tsanglao, 38/C, PS 44 Wokha Town was awarded the Best BLO while Vito H. Khulu, a Class 12, Government Hr Sec School, Zunheboto was awarded the Best Campus Ambassador.
Dimapur: District Public Relations Office observed National Voters Day in the office premises of DPRO office Dimapur. Addressing the staffs, DPRO Dimapur Lolano Patton stated that the day is being observed to remind oneself of how precious each vote counts and also to encourage the youngsters above 18 years of age to enroll themselves and participate in the political process. Later, DPRO Dimapur administered the voter’s pledge to the staff.
Wokha: The National Voters Day 2020 was held at Wokha Town Hall. During the function, Deputy Commissioner & District Election Officer, Wokha, Orenthung Lotha read out the message of the Chief Election Commissioner.
A DIPR report stated that ADC & Electoral Registration Officer, Wokha K. Mhathung Tsanglao delivered the key note address. Thungkhao from 38 Assembly Constituency Polling Station 59-Wokha Village-VI and Augustine Odyuo from 37th Tiyi Assembly Constituency, Polling station-31 Riphyim Old-III were awarded with the Best Booth Level Officer (BLOs).
Reading and signing of Pledge was administered by ADC & Electoral Registration Officer, Wokha K. Mhathung Tsanglao. The DC also felicitated the newly enrolled voters. Short speech was also delivered by District Icon, Grace Ezung.
Zunheboto: Zunheboto District celebrated National Voters Day at Deputy Commissioner’s conference hall. AERO Zunheboto and Hito Sema, ADC and ERO delivered the keynote address. Special number was presented by Mughato Achumi and Best BLO was awarded to Khekavi, PS Aghunato. Special guest Peter Lichamo, DC and DEO Zunheboto also spoke about the importance of National Voters Day and that it is days like this that reminds us the right to vote and also to educate all eligible voters to enroll themselves and exercise their rights and he led the undertaking of the pledge and thus ended the programme.
Mon: National Voters’ Day was celebrated at the Conference hall of Deputy Commissioner, Mon. SDO (C) & AERO 43rd Tapi AC Chumlamo Humtsoe read the massage of Chief Election Commissioner of India citing the significance of the day. Newly enrolled Electors and PwDs of the district were also felicitated during the occasion. Best BLO for the year 2019 in respect of Mon district were also awarded. The SDO (C) & AERO 46th Mon Town AC Illika Zhimomi administrate voters’ pledge.
Mokokchung: National Voters Day was observed at Town Hall, Mokokchung with Deputy Commissioner, Mokokchung, Limawapang Jamir as the special guest. The DC felicitated the newly enrolled voters and gave away the Best BLO Award for all the 10 constituencies in the district and administered the voter’s pledge. The message from Chief Election Commission of India was read out and special song was presented by PWD Icon, Kumari. Supongsangla Jamir.
Phek: National Voters’ Day celebration was held at DC Conference Hall Phek with Sachin Jaiswal, IAS Deputy Commissioner & District Election Officer, Phek as the guest of honour. The programme was chaired by Imliakum Sanglir, EAC, Phek Hq. Signification of NVD was shared by Tsuktimar Jamir, ADC & ERO Phek. The Best Booth Level Officer of 19-Phek AC was awarded by DC & DEO, Phek and also Distribution of EPIC/Badge to newly enrolled Electors was held at the programme. Administration of NVD pledge was also taken in the Programme admin by DC & DEO, Phek Sachin Jaiswal, IAS.
Tuensang: Tuensang District celebrated National Voters Day in collaboration with Beti Bachao Beti Padhao on at CKS Hall, Tuensang Town with SDPO Tuensang Dr. Pritpal Kaur IPS as the special guest. District Icon, SVEEP Mongshai and District Icon, PWDs Chimong also spoke on the occasion. SDO (Civil) Tuensang initiated the NVD pledge and message from Election Commission of India was read out. Twenty new enrolled girls’ voters were felicitated along with the 7 best BLOs.
.JPG)
