Chief Secretary (CS) Nagaland Alemtemshi Jamir reminded that the entire system of democracy is based on vote and thus, having the privilege to vote should be celebrated on such occasions.
Speaking as chief guest at the 3rd National Voters Day here at the Convention Hall Friday, Jamir pointed out that every one has the right to vote and decide who to choose as leader to work for their people.
Terming vote as precious to be used wisely while exercising a franchise, Jamir said the beauty of democracy was that it empowered a voter to participate in all round development of society.
Stressing on the importance of changing people’s mindset, Jamir reminded that there was a need to enlighten, spread awareness and educate people in understanding the value of their votes and dispel the notion that “election is dirty game”. He said “election can be a curse if misused” as democracy provided people with the right to elect the leader they deserve.
CEO Nagaland J. Alam in his speech, said India is the largest democratic country in the world with largest number of voters numbering more than 600 million.
He also expressed appreciation of the NBCC’s campaign for a ‘Clean Election’ in the state where elections have been synonymous with malpractices, money power, bogus voting, under age and proxy voting etc. He expressed the hope that these offences would be greatly reduced through the NBCC campaign.
Addl. chief secretary and commissioner Nagaland, Banuo Z. Jamir pointed out that in elections during the eighties, people misused election as they were ignorant.
However, under the changed system, where the Election Commission of India directly monitored and supervised elections, she urged people to cooperate with it. Banuo also urged those present to encourage family and friends to register their names as voters.
Dr. Hovithal Sothu convenor clean Election working committee NBCC pointed out that the campaign was aimed as strengthening the electoral code of conduct in fighting against corrupt practices and to vote without fear or favour.
He said the church encouraged people to participate in election as per the principle of free and fair election. Sothu also mentioned that in accordance with the initiatives of the NBCC, churches in Nagaland s conducted several seminars and programme to propagate clean election by discouraging proxy voting, buying and selling votes, etc.
He encouraged the people to vote wisely to choose the best and a God fearing leader who would work for the people in the right way. He appealed to the authority to ensure the election was conducted in the right way and also sought the cooperation of everyone in the state.
Chief guest administered the National Voters’ Day pledge and gave away the presentation of awards and badges to the best ERO & BLOs. The awardees for ERO were Sushil Kumar IAS ADC and ERO Tuensang; Asangla Imti ADC & ERO Kohima. BLO awardees included- Sanjay Rai asst. sericulture officer polling station no. 11 of 8 western Angami A/C ; Yongmei LDA-cum-computer assistant, Directorate of Higher Education, Polling station no.7 of 9 Kohima town A/C,; Ahichu Kath Sr. G/T GHS Botsa polling station no. 4 of 11 Northern Angami 11 A/C ; Albert Tsela G/T GMS Tesophenyu polling station no. 9 of 12 Tseminyu A/C ; Tsilie Zashumo S.K., Youth Resources & Sports, polling station no. 2 of 14 southern Angami -1 A/C and Visato TOT-EBRC Viswema polling station no. 1 of 15 Southern Angami- 1 A/C.
Around 13 new voters were also presented badges by the chief guest. The programme was chaired by Honje Konyak DC & DEO Kohima.
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