IMPHAL, January 25: People should understand the importance of exercising their voting rights to strengthen democracy, Chief Secretary O Nabakishore Singh who is also the Chief Electoral Officer of the State said today during the 6th National Voters’ Day State observation held at the Gandhi Memorial hall
The day is being observed nation-wide on the theme “Inclusive and Qualitative Electoral Participation.”
The state function was organised by the Election Department, government of Manipur.
The Chief Secretary said the right to votes comes once every five years and when the occasion comes the people should choose the right candidate.
Every citizen who has attained 18 years of age must enrol in the voters’ list to exercise their franchise, he said.
The Chief Secretary said the present trend of candidates trying to buy off voters is undemocratic.
The right to vote is essential in electing the right candidate to bring development to the State and the country, he added.
He said the media also needs to play a vital role in disseminating awareness regarding greater participation of the people in the voting exercise.
Stressing on the theme of the observation, the Chief Secretary said it is an appropriate choice of words.
The five-year term of the present government will end soon and the people will be called upon to once again select their representatives, he observed.
The young generation is the pillar of the nation and they ought to play a strong role in developing the State and the country, he added.
During the function, Voters Identity Card were distributed to newly enrolled electors and prizes for a state-level essay and quiz competition were also distributed.