KISHTWAR: As part of the ongoing SVEEP campaign in the district in the anticipation of Assembly elections, an impactful electoral awareness program was conducted today at Government Degree College Kishtwar. The event specifically targeted young students and first-time voters, encouraging active participation in the democratic process.
The District Nodal Officer SVEEP Dr. Kuldeep Kumar in Collaboration with the Electoral Literacy Club/SVEEP and NCC Senior Wing of the College successfully organized a Youth Parliament on "Compulsory Voting in India".
The event was organised on the direction of District Election Officer/District Magistrate Rajesh Kumar Shavan and the guidance of the College Principal Prof. Basharat Iqbal.
Nodal Officer SVEEP-GDC Dr Yasir Ahmed and CTO NCC SW Dr Tabassum Saleem were pivotal in the success of the event. The activities for the day included a "Mock Parliament" focusing on the issue of compulsory voting in India, followed by a Symposium and a song sung by College Student Shevata Sharma on the Importance of Voting.
Both activities aimed to stimulate constructive debate and dialogue among students on the role of voting in a democracy and the potential benefits and challenges of making voting compulsory in the country.
Around 250 students actively participated in the event, engaging in discussions that reflected their awareness and interest in the electoral process. The event provided a platform for these young minds to express their opinions and learn about the significance of voting as a civic duty.
At the end of the session, the voters pledge was administered to the all present in the event, followed by felicitation of participants with certificates as a token of appreciation for their active involvement. The organizers and faculty members expressed their pride in the students for their enthusiasm and contribution to the event.
District Nodal Officer, SVEEP Kuldeep Kumar, Nodal Officer SVEEP AC-49 Kishtwar Masood Hussain Qazi, NT Election Cell Angrez Singh besides Dr. Sehrish Gazal, Dr.Zahoor Din, Dr.Vijay Kumar, Prof Esar ul Ayoub, Prof Sonika Sen, Prof Asma Javaid, Prof S.M.Usman, Prof Ashfaq Ahmed Wani and other Officials of GDC and District Administration were also present.
- SVEEEP: SWD Udhampur hosts awareness camp for Divyangjans, Senior citizen voters at Panchayat Sansoo- Neeli Nallah
UDHAMPUR: An SVEEP program was organised today for Divyangjans and Senior citizen voters by the Tehsil Social Welfare Department Udhampur at Panchayat Sansoo.
Pooja Devi educated the general public on working of SAKSHAM Portal launched by ECI and other facilities provided by authorities such as wheelchairs at polling station, Ramps, provision of home voting so that no voter is left behind due to the reasons being handicapped or old aged
TSWO Tilak Raj Attri also appealed to the public in general to cast their vote as it is the moral duty of every Indian. Around 150 participants attended the program which included Anganwadi Workers, BLOs of concern polling booth and Residents of the panchayat Sansoo
A similar SVEEP event was hosted at Panchayat Ghar Neeli Nallah which saw a gathering of around 130 people majority of them being PwD voters and Senior citizens. Later, a pledge was undertaken by the people of both the Panchayats to cast their votes and urge nears and dears to exercise their right to vote.
- General Observer for AC-57 and AC-58 inspect strong room in Reasi
REASI: General Observer for Assembly Constituencies AC 57-Reasi and AC 58-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, Avi Prasad accompanied by DEO Vishesh Mahajan on Monday conducted the inspection of the strong room established here in Government polytechnic college.
The inspection focused on the working of CCTV cameras, security of the strong room, maintaining of proper registers and the integrity of the EVMs.
General Observer Avi Prasad expressed satisfaction over the arrangements and emphasized the importance of strict adherence to election protocols to ensure a free, fair, and transparent election process. He also interacted with officials and staff involved in the election duties, offering guidance and addressing any concerns related to the preparations.
Accompanying the General Observer during the visit were District Election Officer (DEO) Vishesh Mahajan, as well as Returning Officers 57 Anshumali Sharma, Deputy DEO Rakesh Kumar along with Assistant Returning Officers (AROs) and other staff
- Dangal hosted to promote voter awareness in Ramnagar
RAMNAGAR: Since the wheels of election to the legislative assembly in J&K have set in motion last month, the festive season of democracy has commenced with verve and vigor in Udhampur district.
District Election Officer Saloni Rai and her team are putting best of their efforts to educate and aware each and every voter as mandated by Election Commission of India under SVEEP. The innovative activities are being carried out in every nook and corner of the assembly constituencies in the district.
The Ramnagar Assembly constituency is one where the low voter turnout had been recorded in the past elections and mandated extra efforts to organize SVEEP events to educate the voters and motivate them towards their inclusive participation in the election.
SDM Ramnagar, designated as Returning Officer of the said AC is putting in extra efforts to reach out each and every voter by organizing different events and activities and involving voters across the age cohort.
A series of events are being organized as per the pre-designed schedule of SVEEP activities. The local artists, social influencers, Govt officers and young voters are engaged to motivate and educate the voters.
A vibrant and ardent event that is traditional sports- Dangal (wrestling) was organized today at village Kirmoo, Ramnagar, by SDM Ramnagar in collaboration with the Dangal Committee Badoi Ramnagar. The event, organized as part of the SVEEP campaign, aimed to promote voter awareness and encourage maximum participation in the upcoming legislative assembly elections scheduled for October 1, 2024.
Over 1200 people from all walks of life gathered to witness the traditional sport of Dangal, an activity deeply rooted in rural culture.
The event was conducted under the patronship of Returning Officer and SDM Ramnagar, Rafiq Ahmad Jaral, who clubbed the event with voter awareness.
The SDM Ramnagar while speaking on the Dangal delves into its historical journey to the contemporary resurgence with the world famous Bollywood movie Dangal, which catapulted this traditional sport to global fame like our democratic process.
He highlighted the parallels between Dangal sport and the democratic process, as both are our socio- cultural heritage symbolizing strength, honor, and discipline. He emphasized the importance of voter participation, likening the strength, resilience, and discipline shown by wrestlers in the Dangal arena to the responsibility of citizens to exercise their voting rights. "Just as wrestlers fight with determination in the ring, we as citizens must display the same commitment in protecting our democracy by voting in the upcoming elections. SVEEP is about ensuring that no voter is left behind and encourages all eligible voters to participate actively in this crucial democratic exercise," he remarked.
The Dangal event, infused with the spirit of unity and sportsmanship, served as a platform for educating the participants, the significance of the electoral process, ensuring that everyone, including the elderly, people with disabilities, and those in remote areas, have access to voting.
Taking the advantage of gathering assembled to witness the Dangal, the SDM Ramnagar spread a powerful message among the voters by appealing to participate in the upcoming election and make Ramnagar constituency no.1 in terms of voter turnout.
- SVEEP Campaign gathers momentum in AC 48-Inderwal: Focuses on Far-off Areas of Bonjwah, Marwah and Warwan
KISHTWAR: The Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) campaign for the upcoming Legislative Assembly Elections 2024 is gaining significant traction in the remote regions of Bonjwah, Marwah, and Warwan in the 48-Inderwal Assembly Constituency under the guidance of Concerned RO.
These areas, known for their limited road and telecommunication connectivity are considered shadow regions due to their geographic challenges. In a concerted effort to achieve enhanced voter turnout by ensuring voter education and participation in these far-flung regions, various SVEEP awareness activities have been strategically designed and implemented.
Both awareness groups and local volunteers have been activated to spread the message of electoral participation, emphasizing the importance of informed voting and active civic engagement. As part of this initiative, a successful voter awareness and painting competition was held at Amin Academy High School, Bunjwah, Kishtwar.
This event combined creativity and electoral awareness, inspiring students and community members to exercise their right to vote. The participants, through their artistic expressions, echoed the importance of making every vote count.
In another significant event, SVEEP awareness programs were organised at Polling Stations No. 9 and 10, located at Middle School Brayan,Warwan. The campaign aims to inform and engage voters about the upcoming elections, ensuring they understand the electoral process and are motivated to participate.
The voter awareness programs are in full swing across various locations in Warwan, where citizens are actively engaging in SVEEP activities, further promoting informed participation in the election process. Similar awareness programmes were held at Marwah zone of District Kishtwar.
With continuous efforts by the District Administration, local volunteers, and educational institutions, the SVEEP campaign in these hard-to-reach areas aims to ensure maximum voter turnout and a well-informed electorate for the Assembly Elections 2024.
- Expenditure Observer reviews operational readiness of Monitoring teams in AC Budhal
RAJOURI: In anticipation to the upcoming Assembly elections scheduled for September 25th, 2024, Expenditure Observer Sidharth Kumar today conducted a thorough review of the operational readiness of the Static Surveillance Teams (SSTs) in the Budhal constituency (AC 87). The observer inspected various Nakas (checkpoints) and provided comprehensive guidance to officials on their critical roles and responsibilities in ensuring a fair election.
During his review, Sidharth Kumar emphasized the importance of strategically placing Flying Squad Teams (FSTs) to monitor and control any illegal or unregulated activities related to election spending. He also visited the Returning Officerâs (RO) office, where he held in-depth discussions with the officers and officials responsible for tracking and regulating campaign expenditures.
In a detailed briefing, Kumar instructed Assistant Returning Officers (AROs) and Assistant Expenditure Observers (AEOs) on the protocols for accurately recording and maintaining election expenditure records. He stressed the need for meticulous documentation of all expenses incurred by individual candidates, highlighting the importance of transparency in campaign financing.
The expenditure observer emphasized strict vigilance on the financial conduct of political campaigns, directing officers to closely monitor rallies, meetings, and other political events. He underscored the need to ensure that all expenditures remain within legal limits and are properly documented.
Sidharth Kumar assured election officers of continued support throughout the election process. He warned that any deviations or violations of the financial code would be met with strict measures, underscoring the Election Commissionâs commitment to conducting a free, fair, and transparent election.
- Home Voting, Postal Ballot Services launched for Senior Citizens, PwD Voters in Ramban
RAMBAN: District Election Officer Baseer-Ul-Haq Chaudhary today officially launched Home Voting and Postal Ballot services for Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities (PwD) voters in the district.
The event saw the deployment of polling parties and was attended by Deputy District Election Officer Abdul Jabar, Returning Officer for AC-54 Ramban S. Harpal Singh, Returning Officer for AC-55 Banihal Rizwan Asgar, Assistant Returning Officers, Security Officers, and other key officials.
It was ensured that all polling parties complete the Postal Ballot voting process under stringent security measures. Comprehensive protocols were implemented to maintain the safety and integrity of the voting process.
Notably, out of the 175 eligible Senior Citizens and PwD voters, 168 cast their votes, including 109 out of 112 in AC-55 Banihal and 59 out of 63 in AC-54 Ramban.
"Our primary goal is to ensure that every eligible voter, especially Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities get the opportunity to participate in the electoral process without any hindrances. By adhering to the Election Commission of Indiaâs guidelines, we are committed to upholding fairness and efficiency in the elections, making sure that every voterâs experience is smooth and equitableâ District Election Officer Baseer-Ul-Haq Chaudhary emphasized.
- Jashn-e-Jamhooriyat Rajouri celebrated under SVEEP to Boost Voter Awareness for Assembly Elections 2024
RAJOURI: In a unique and culturally enriching initiative to promote voter awareness ahead of the upcoming Assembly Elections 2024, a series of Mushairas titled 'Jashn-e-Jamhooriyat Rajouri' were organised across all five constituencies of the district Rajouri, under the guidance and supervision of District Election Officer (DEO) Abhishek Sharma. This voter education drive was conducted as part of the Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) program to encourage greater voter participation in the Assembly Elections scheduled for 25th September 2024.
The culmination of these constituency-level events took place today with a grand district-level Mushaira held at the Dak Bungalow, Rajouri. The local poets came together to recite poems and sing songs in various languages, including Hindi, Urdu, Pahari, and Gojri whose performances were focused on the importance of voting, the power of single vote in a democracy, and the need for every eligible citizen to participate in the electoral process.
DEO Rajouri, Abhishek Sharma, addressed the gathering and appreciated the participants for their creativity and dedication to the cause of voter education. He emphasized the role of cultural activities in motivating people to actively participate in elections, stating, "Through the medium of art, we are able to connect with people at a deeper level, making them aware of the importance of their vote in shaping the future of the country."
The DEO felicitated several participants, especially students, with cash prizes to acknowledge their contributions to the event. He encouraged them to continue their efforts in creating voter awareness, particularly in rural areas where participation has historically been lower.
The event was attended by a number of dignitaries and officials, including Returning Officer (RO) Rajouri, Mohd Jahangir, Deputy DEO Shakeel Malik, Nodal Officer SVEEP Bishamber Dass, Cultural Officer, Alamdar Adam, Nodal Officer Control Room Sandeep Sharma, and Nodal Officer MCMC Ashiq Rafiq Malik.
