Exercise your franchise without fail, says Collector

Democracy is all about citizens electing their representatives, who through their ideologies provide education, health and employment opportunities to the people, to rule the country through elections, said Virudhunagar Collector, N.O. Sukhaputra.

Addressing the 16th National Voters’ Day programme held here on Sunday, Mr. Sukhaputra said that in order to elect people to such responsible posts, the voters have to exercise their franchise without fail during elections.

The objective of celebrating National Voters Day is to include all eligible persons in the voters list to strengthen democracy and to increase the people’s participation in election.

Virudhunagar district that had 16,26,485 voters before Special Intensive Revision has now got 14,36,521 voters in the draft electoral rolls. People should verify whether their names were registered in the right place with all right information. In case their names are missing or registered with wrong details, they should act immediately.

The Collector also appealed to the people to cooperate with the administration in conduct of elections in an independent, fair and peaceful manner. They should vote without any fear and any discriminations on the lines of religion, caste, race, class and language.

Besides, they should not succumb to any inducements and vote in a honest way. “Thus, the traditions that ensure our welfare could be maintained and dignity of election could be upheld. We should take pride that the voters are heart of democracy who make it to work enthusiastically and exercise our franchise without fail,” he added.

The Collector also formally inaugurated a signature campaign on 100% voting.

He also watched, along with students, an awareness video released by the Election Commission. The Collector distributed prizes and certificates to students of colleges and schools who had won various competitions organised on the occasion of National Voters Day.

Voter identity cards were distributed to new voters on the occasion.