Tura, Jan. 25: The Garo hills administration today sent out a strong message to the electorate on 7th National Voters' Day.
"Voting is a powerful medium of expression, which has been conferred upon the electorate," said Pravin Bakshi, the deputy commissioner of West Garo Hills, during a celebration here today.
Bakshi said Meghalaya holds the record for the second-highest voting percentage in the country, coming second only to Tripura's 93 per cent turnout. He also asked the newly enrolled voters to vote wisely for a stronger democracy.
The theme for this year's National Voters' Day is Empowering Young and Future Voters.
The president of the council of nokma (headmen), Skylance G. Momin, said, "It is very important to create awareness among the voters about their responsibilities and fulfilment of the manifesto put forward by the respective representatives during elections."
Momin and Bakshi also asked voters to take a pledge to uphold the dignity of free, fair and peaceful elections.
The newly registered voters under North Tura (ST) and South Tura (ST) Assembly constituencies were felicitated and elector's photo identity cards were distributed.
The best booth-level officers under West Garo Hills were also felicitated.
Momin distributed the certificate of participation to the office of the deputy commissioner (election), West Garo Hills, from the Election Commission of India, for representing Meghalaya at the global exhibition, also known as Matdata Mahotsav, held from January 14-17 in New Delhi last year.
At Ampati in South West Garo Hills, deputy commissioner Cyril V. Diengdoh led the gathering in taking the voters' pledge and distributed elector's photo identity cards.
Several competitions for young voters were held and food stalls were put up.
The booth-level officers felicitated the newly registered voters with badges bearing the slogan - Proud to be a Voter - Ready to Vote.
Addressing the gathering, Diengdoh said National Voters' Day was a celebration of democracy and a tribute to the Election Commission of India for upholding the principles of democracy through free and fair elections.
He said true empowerment comes only when a person exercises the right to franchise. He also appealed to all eligible voters to get their names registered in the electoral roll and reminded the voters of their responsibility to ensure that electoral rolls are clean and error free.
The superintendent of police, South West Garo Hills, Ramesh Singh, also participated in the celebrations and spoke of the importance of the right to vote.
Additional deputy commissioner (election) Hazel B. Sangma highlighted the objectives of celebrating National Voters Day and the enrolment figures in the district till date.
National Voters Day was observed in different colleges, including North Eastern Hill University, Tura, and Icfai University, Meghalaya.
