Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 25: To commemorate the foundation day of the Election Commission of India and to enhance the participation of voters, especially the youth, the ‘Fifth National Voters’ Day’ (NVD) with theme “Easy Registration, Easy Correction’’ was celebrated here today.
The function was organized by Chief Electoral Office J&K. Principal Secretary, Planning & Development B R Sharma, who lit the traditional lamp was the chief guest on the occasion.
Divisional Commissioner, Jammu Shantmanu, Deputy Commissioner Jammu Ajit Kumar Sahu and officers from State administration and State Election Department besides senior citizens and large number of young boys and girls were present on the occasion.
“Setting up of the Election Commission of India on this day was indeed a landmark chapter in the history of free India, a step which facilitated peaceful, orderly and democratic transfer of power through delivery of free, fair and credible elections to the people”, the Principal Secretary said.
The addition of over 5 lakh new voters who turned 18 during last year, to the list of registered voters reflects the success of ‘Systematic Voters Education and Electoral Participation’ SVEEP campaign, he said.
Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, Ajit Kumar Sahu informed that under the directions of the ECI many new innovations have been introduced like SVEEP, expenditure management & control system and SMS Service etc.
Making special reference to Jammu Election Services, a novel idea mooted by the Jammu district administration, he said that it was a single window platform exclusively carried out in Jammu and was widely appreciated during the elections. He said that ‘Wake up Jammu’ Campaign was developed like a brand and was of immense help in increasing voter awareness’.
Earlier, Consultant Election Department, Harcharan Singh informed that 5 lakh new voters have been enrolled to the voters list and now the State has over 72 lakh registered voters. He said that photo coverage has increased to 94 per cent and EPIC percentage to 91 per cent.
On the occasion State Awards 2015 for Best Electoral Practices were also presented.
Ajeet Kumar Sahu, District Election Officer, Jammu was presented the award for innovation in the field of Voters Education and Electoral participation, Dr Farooq Ahmed Lone, District Election Officer, Baramulla was awarded for voters Education and Electoral participation, Mohammad Aijaz, Electoral Registration Officer Khan-Sahib, who has the distinction of bridging the gender gap from 9.17% in Lok Sabha elections to a gap of 0.06% in Assembly election, was awarded for Electoral Roll Management and SVEEP activities, Ashwani Kumar Khajuria, Electoral Registration Officer Gool Arnas was awarded for electoral Roll Management and Booth Level Officers from Bandipora, Jammu, Samba and Reasi were also awarded.
Two Special awards were also given away to NIC Team J&K and 14th Corps of the Indian Army Leh.
The Special Award to Leh-based 14th Corps of Indian Army was given for best electoral practices in the field of Postal Balloting by the Service Voters for the recently held Assembly elections.
The Award was presented to Col S S Patil, Commandant, Ladakh Scouts Regimental Centre, Leh, on behalf of the 14 Corps. It may be mentioned that the 14 Corps, which looks after the strategic Ladakh sector, extended proactive support to a campaign launched by the District Election Officer/Deputy Commissioner, Leh, Simrandeep Singh to encourage the Army personnel to vote through the medium of Postal Ballots
Later on prizes among the winners of the photo competition were also distributed in which photo journalist Sanjay Gupta bagged first prize and Information Department bagged the second prize which was collected by Deputy Director (AV), Wasim Raja.
Elector Photo Identity Cards (EPIC) were distributed among boys and girls who had attained the age of 18 years, thus becoming eligible for their right to vote and participate in the democratic process.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
