Jammu, Jan 25: Today, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha participated in the 15th National Voters’ Day Celebrations held at the General Zorawar Singh Auditorium, University of Jammu.
He extended his congratulations to the Chief Electoral Officer of J&K and his team for receiving the esteemed Best Performing State/UT Award from the Election Commission of India.
The Lieutenant Governor expressed heartfelt gratitude to the people of Jammu & Kashmir, the officials of the National Election Commission, the Election department, police and security forces, and all stakeholders for their roles in ensuring a fair, transparent, and successful conduct of the Lok Sabha and J&K Legislative Assembly elections.
“The historic voter turnout in both the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections showcases the unwavering faith of the people of J&K in democratic values and reflects a revitalized spirit of civic engagement, heralding a new era where democracy is taking root more profoundly than ever, propelled by the people’s will,” stated the Lieutenant Governor.
He praised the Election Commission for its significant role, emphasizing that their thorough planning and vigilant oversight guaranteed a smooth electoral process, eliminating the need for repolls. All political parties concurred that these were the most fair, transparent, peaceful, and commendable elections witnessed in Jammu & Kashmir.
“Our cultural ethos is anchored in the democratic principles of freedom, equality, and inclusivity, which empower citizens to live lives of quality and dignity. The will of the people is an ancient concept, which is why India is revered as the ‘Mother of Democracy’,” he added.
The theme for this year’s National Voters’ Day, “Nothing Like Voting, I Vote for Sure,” emphasizes the significance of every vote and highlights that voting transcends all barriers, capturing the essence of voting rights.
“Indian democracy is a vibrant celebration of cooperation, collaboration, peace, and the collective strength of the populace. India stands out among the few nations where democratic ideals are firmly entrenched. I take pride in the fact that many countries across the Global North and South are now looking to India as a model for conducting fair and transparent elections,” he remarked.
The Lieutenant Governor commended the Chief Electoral Office for the successful revision of electoral rolls post-delimitation, preparing a voters list encompassing 89 lakh individuals and ensuring transparent, fair voting across all 11,838 polling stations.
He noted that the notable rise in voter turnout during these elections underscores the dedicated efforts of the Union Territory’s election machinery. He further stressed the importance of ongoing awareness campaigns to educate all segments of society about the power of their vote, noting that one of the main aims of National Voters’ Day is to inspire eligible youth to engage in the voting process.
Additionally, the Lieutenant Governor congratulated Sh. Harvinder Singh, Deputy Commissioner of Doda, and Ms. PD Nitya, SSP Pulwama, who were recognized for their exemplary electoral practices.
On this special occasion, the Lieutenant Governor led officials and attendees in taking the National Voters’ Day pledge.
He also honored various officials with UT-level awards for their contributions to the successful conduct of the Lok Sabha and J&K Legislative Assembly elections, recognizing Sara Rizvi, DIG IR Jammu; Minga Sherpa, Deputy Commissioner Baramulla; Sachin Kumar Vaishya, Deputy Commissioner Jammu; Rajesh Kumar Shavan, Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar; Devansh Yadav, Commissioner JMC; Sahil Sarangal, SSP; Randeep Kumar, SSP; Anil Salgotra, Joint CEO and other senior officials from Police and stakeholder departments.
The Lieutenant Governor launched a mobile initiative called “Democracy on Wheels,” designed to educate students about the importance of voting and the electoral process. He also inaugurated a Regional EVM warehouse in Jammu and celebrated the registration of new voters.
The event featured captivating performances by artists from Natrang, members of the NGO Muskaan, Jigar Foundation, students from the School for the Blind, and local college students, all emphasizing the significance of voting, which received special commendation from the Lieutenant Governor.
In a video message, Rajiv Kumar, Chief Election Commissioner of India, congratulated the attendees on the occasion. Prominent officials and community leaders, including B.R. Sharma, Election Commissioner of J&K, Shaheen Kabra, Additional Chief Secretary; Chandraker Bharti, Principal Secretary, Home; along with senior officials, heads of departments, and esteemed citizens were also present.
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