Call to utilise right to vote in Ongole

 Ongole: In the democracy, it is the responsibility of every voter to utilize the right to vote to form a better government, said the District Collector Vadarevu Vinay Chand.

Speaking at the 9th National Voters Day celebrations at the collectorate here on Friday, he urged every voter to exercise the vote without any fear.

The Collector said that no eligible person should be left behind without having the voting right and advised all voters to exercise the vote at their respective polling booth. 

He said that the arrangements were being made for the ensuing Assembly and general elections and said that the public should share the responsibility of creating awareness about the vote and getting registered for it. 

He opined that the percentage of voters registration by the youngsters was low in the district. 

He said that with the orders from the national Election Commission, the concerned officials are conducting Systematic Voters Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) drive in all colleges. 

He announced that there are 3269 polling booths in the district and advised the public to check their vote details in them as the draft voters list is published on January 11 and the polling booth officers are available there.

The Collector said that the Election Commission has taken all measures to conduct the coming elections in a peaceful atmosphere. 

It introduced a new tool Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) to improve transparency and the experts are verifying the ballot units and control units thoroughly, he added. 

He said that the voting lists are also prepared transparently and voters can clarify their doubts and give suggestions by calling the Election Commission helpline at 1950. 

He asked every voter to be responsible and exercise their vote impartially and keep the district in top position in the percent of polling.

Joint Collector S Nagalakshmi advised the public to verify their details and submit requests for any required modifications. 

She said that there is only 66 percent of voters’ turnout in the 2014 general elections and asked the public to increase the participation.

As part of the National Voters Day celebrations, the education, STEP, and other related departments organized an awareness rally in the town and formed a human chain at the Church Center. 

At the meeting held in the collectorate, the officials felicitated senior citizens and distributed prizes to the winners of various competitions and mementos to the children performed various art forms. 
Later the Collector administered an oath by the officials that they would work in the elections impartially and without any fear.

On the other hand, the additional SP K Lavanya Lakshmi saw the same pledge was taken by the police officials at the district police office in Ongole.