On Voters’ day, state gets CSO awards

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, JAN 25: Meghalaya’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO)

office and Shillong Public School has been conferred with the national CSO award for Innovative SVEEP programme by the Election Commission of India.

The CEO office had recently undertaken series of “Point to the Future” SVEEP initiatives in collaboration with the Shillong Public School which had been selected for the national award by the Election Commission of India

The Principal of the Shillong Public School would be receiving the award on behalf of the CEO from the President of India at the National NVD celebration being held in Delhi on Wednesday.

Meanwhile in Shillong on the National Voter’s Day 2017 a state level function was held with a focus on “Empowering Young and Future Voters” at the JN stadium complex.

To attract the youth and to educate the young and future voters, a varied mix of vibrant and colourful youth oriented programme were organized, and the activities kicked off with the Democracy Run which was flagged off at 7am in the morning by Meghalaya Chief Electoral Officer FR Kharkongor.

Almost 1800 runners in various categories participated in the NVD run with participants drawn from the under 18, 18 to 35 and over 35 age groups and from the defense and paramilitary forces and the disabled categories. This was followed by musical entertainment performed by various artistes and music groups including MLCU.

The voter’s pledge was administered in the main official function, which was graced by chief secretary KS Kropha as chief guest in the presence of CEO, additional CEO, Secretary Law and East Khasi hills DC and his team.

In his opening remarks Kharkongor mentioned that voter enrolment percentage had gone by 3.38% in the recently published final rolls for 2017.  In his keynote Kropha appreciated the recognition conferred by the Election Commission of India, various activities undertaken and the increase in enrolment but encouraged the Election Department to put in more effort to ensure that no voter is left behind and that the number of 18+ voters and especially eligible urban youths are enrolled in view of 2017 being a pre-election year.

The other highlights of the celebration included colorful kite flying exhibition, Segway rides, Aero Modeling displayed which provided much colour and vibrancy for the assembled young and future voters.

The programme ended with the famous Summer Salt band of Rock On 2 fame entertaining the young participants with a specially composed motivational SVEEP Election song called “Tarak Tak Tak” which appealed to the youthful sensibilities of the young participants.