We Want Chandigarh to be a Model Election City: Adviser to the Administrator on National Voters Day Celebrations

Chandigarh, 25^th January 2019: National Voters Day was celebrated in Chandigarh today with the series of events. The celebrations began with the pledge taking ceremony at the UT Secretariat wherein Sh. Manoj Parida, IAS, Adviser to the Administrator administered the pledge to the employees of U.T Secretariat. Further to the celebrations, Election Department, Chandigarh organized a State Level function on National Voters’ Day at Post Graduate Govt. College for Girls, Sector-42, Chandigarh. The Adviser to the Administrator was the Chief Guest of the function.

This year in 2019, we celebrate the 9th National Voters’ Day with the theme ‘Koi Matdata Na Chhoote’. The theme is an expression of our aim towards creating electoral awareness about the importance of right to vote and ensuring inclusive participation of youth, women, handicapped, senior citizens, service voters and all sections of the society. 

Sh. Mandip Singh Brar, IAS, Additional Chief Electoral Officer cum Deputy Commissioner, Chandigarh Administration welcomed everyone and said, “ We are a proud to be the largest democracy whose foundation is our powerful electoral system. The greatest strength of this system is the voter. We must exercise the right of our Franchise, as it not just our right but our duty to vote.”

This year, Chandigarh Administration under the leadership of Election Commission of India has taken a step forward by initiating special campaigns to increase the enrolment of voters, especially the participation of newly eligible young voters.

Exemplary initiatives like introduction of Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) system which is the first-of-its-kind initiative being used in the Parliamentary Elections for providing greater transparency to the poll process, easily accessible polling stations at most locations, Toll Free Voter Helpline number 1950 for providing 24X7 accurate election related information to all citizens, special camps for registration for young voters and citizen-friendly Election Department equipped with skilful and informed staff are ways through which the Election Department will be facilitating the electors this year for the General Elections to Lok Sabha-2019 in the constituency of Chandigarh.

Sh. Ajoy Kumar Sinha, IAS, Chief Electoral Officer cum Finance Secretary, Chandigarh Administration said that last year, Chandigarh registered 50,000 new voters, which was an outstanding effort of the officials of the Election department. He further mentioned the commendable initiatives are taken by the Election department to ensure fair elections in the constituency of Chandigarh. The officer also said, “We are introducing VVPAT machines first time in the city for the elections 2019, therefore the demonstration of VVPAT machines is provided for everyone present on this event to understand how to cast a vote at the first instance.”

The VVPAT machines were placed at the venue for the demonstrations were used by students as well as the teachers to understand the working of newly introduced machines. The students were also made aware of the complete electoral process via the help desk and Voter Rath placed at the venue.

Sh. Manoj Parida, IAS, Adviser to the Administrator said, “We are blessed people because we are born in a country where each one has the right to vote. Voting is not just a privilege; it is a power that needs to be exercised. Voting is a sacred obligation, which shall be cherished and exercised. It is the most effective tool in bringing about a positive change in the lives of millions of people. We want all of you to vote and make Chandigarh a Model Election City.”

The event also witnessed outstanding cultural performances by the students of the College which was followed by a prize distribution ceremony, wherein the officials of the Election Department were honored, and first time electors were presented with the Electors Photo Identity Cards by the Chief Guest.

Sh. B L Sharma, IAS, Education Secretary, Arjun Sharma, IAS, Joint CEO-cum-SDM(E), Sh. Saurabh Mishra, IAS, SDM (S), Smt. Nazuk Kumar, IAS, SDM(C), Sh. Rubinderjot Singh Brar, Director Public Instructions, and officials of Election department were also at the event.