SRINAGAR: The Divisional Commissioner (Div Com) Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, Thursday encouraged citizens to vote in upcoming elections for a vibrant and healthy democracy.
The Div Com was addressing a National Voters Day function organised by Chief Electoral Office Srinagar at Govt. College of Education, MA Road Srinagar.
Giving a brief history of the election process, Bidhuri said that during the pre-democracy period, the power struggle was never peaceful.
But, he said, we should derive pride in the fact that we are the largest democracy in the world. He said the election process promotes a smooth transition of power in a democratic country.
While commenting on the theme of this year’s ‘National Voters Day’ which is ‘Nothing Like Voting, I vote for sure’, he encouraged all participants to vote in upcoming elections to exercise their democratic rights.
He mentioned various developmental achievements of recent periods, particularly projects completed across the city including SSCL Projects and successfully hosting of G20 Summit and religious festivals.
Meanwhile, he shared the significance of the Republic Day Celebration and invited all to the main R-Day function at Bakshi Stadium while requesting participants to be seated in the Stadium before 9:00 Am.
He reiterated that I-cards shall be treated as entry passes and said that the Administration expects the participation of a huge number of citizens.
Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Dr Bilal Mohid ud Din underlined the significance of voting in elections and impressed on the registration of new eligible voters to exercise the universal adult franchise given by the constitution under which citizens above the age of 18 years can vote.
He said the right to vote for all is based on equality and has been envisioned at the time of the framing of the Constitution.
He also gave insight into the struggles for landmark achievement of voting rights in different countries and the inception of the concept in modern democracies. He also asked all to actively participate in the voting process for a healthy democracy.
Moreover, a video message from the Chief Election Commissioner of India was also streamed during the programme besides the Kashmiri version of the IEC video message of Mai Bharat Houn, of the Election Department was also shown to the audience.
Later, Div Com administered the Voters Pledge to the participants. He also distributed EPICS to newly registered electors and appreciation certificates to officials and BLOs.
Earlier, SDM stated that 17 thousand new electors were added during the current phase of registration for the electoral process.
Among others, the programme was attended by the Principal Govt College of Education, ACR, Srinagar, BLOs, newly eligible voters and students.
Meanwhile, the Divisional Commissioner (Div Com) Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri administered the Voters pledge to Officers and Officials of his office on ‘National Voters Day’.
The participants pledged, “We, the citizens of India, having abiding faith in democracy, hereby pledge to uphold the democratic traditions of our country and the dignity of free, fair and peaceful elections, and to vote in every election fearlessly and without being influenced by considerations of religion, race, caste, community, language or any inducement.”
The theme of this year’s National Voters Day is “Nothing like Voting. I vote for sure”.
