BANDIPORA: In order to aware general public particularly first time PwD voters and as a part of outreach and awareness activities under Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP), an awareness programme was today held at Auditorium of NM BHSS Bandipora. The program was presided over by District Election Officer (DEO) Bandipora, Shakeel Ul Rehman Rather and was attended by ARO 15-Bandipora (ACR) Shabir Ahmad Wani, DyDEO Mohammad Rafeeq Bhat, CEO, Nodal Officer SVEEP, PWD Voters, PWD employees and other concerned officials.
The program was aimed to emphasise the importance of electoral empowerment, and to inspire and educate the public, particularly first-time PwD voters, on the significance of their vote and participation in the democratic process. Addressing the gathering, DEO highlighted the importance of electoral participation and the role of persons with special ability in elections.
He also highlighted the importance of female voters in nation-building and deliberated on the facility of home voting. The DEO also highlighted the rights of voters, the voting process, accessibility features at polling stations, and the importance of participation in elections. Dy DEO Mohammad Rafeeq Bhat and ARO 15-Bandipora Shabir Ahmad Wani also threw light on the importance of informed decisions in the election process and the importance of vote.
They said home voting is scheduled to be held on 14th, 15th and 16th of May 2025 in district Bandipora and all the arrangements are in place to conduct voting in a free and fair manner in the District. The event also witnessed the performance of cultural activities, including Kashmiri songs, with the messages urging the public to cast their vote on the scheduled date.