Youth urged to enrol as voters

Tirupati: Soon after completing the age of 18 years, everyone should enrol their names in the voters’ list, which will facilitate them to exercise their franchise as it is crucial in the democracy, said the Municipal Commissioner V Vijaya Rama Raju. He said that copies of Form-6 are available for students in all colleges to enrol themselves as voters.

Addressing the National Voters’ Day meeting held at Srinivasa Auditorium here on Friday, the Commissioner, who is also the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) for Tirupati Assembly constituency has said that by exercising the voting right in 2019 elections the youth should further strengthen the democracy.

The Commissioner lauded the senior citizens, who have been exercising their franchise for several years to make India a strong and vibrant democratic country. He gave a call to youth to know their rights in the democracy and utilise them besides enhancing their skilling abilities. Skilled personnel are required for many jobs but due to lack of such manpower those jobs are lying vacant, the civic chief said and advised the youth to concentrate on honing their skills.

Andhra Pradesh Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (APSPDCL) Chairman and Managing Director MM Naik, who was chief guest, has stressed the fact that without showing any type of discrepancies like caste, creed, religion, sex etc., the democracy has given the right to vote to every citizen above the age of 18 years.

Though there was much diversity in the country, the democracy was so strong because of this right. Since, youth forms the peer group they should make use of their right and see that all the people in their homes and surrounding places also go to polling booths to vote, he mentioned.

A fresh voter P Pebeyal, a degree final year student, spoke about the importance of voting and said that every voter should build the nation with the power of their vote. Later, the Commissioner and SPDCL CMD administered the oath to the participants that they will protect the democracy.

They have also felicitated senior citizens like IV Subramanyam, Govindaiah, Somu Umapathi and others. Also, certificates were distributed to Booth Level Officers (BLOs) who have excelled in their duties.

Medals were presented to the winners of National Voters Day programmes held at various educational institutions. Earlier, a huge rally was organised from Tirupati Sub-Collector office to Srinivasa Auditorium in which hundreds of school students took part. Similar rallies and
meetings were held in all other constituencies too.