CEO reviews poll arrangements in Shopian

Shopian, Sep 2: Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Pandurang Kondbarao Pole reviewed poll preparations in south Kashmir’s Shopian district and presided over a SVEEP (Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation) programme at the auditorium hall of the Government Degree College (GDC) here Monday.

Addressing a gathering on the occasion, CEO Pole said that SVEEP was a flagship initiative designed to enhance voter education, raise awareness and promote electoral literacy across the country.

He highlighted the critical importance of voting in strengthening democracy and ensuring inclusive elections.

The CEO acknowledged the vital role played by ASHA and Anganwadi workers in encouraging voter turnout and their continued efforts in supporting electoral participation. He underlined that every voter holds immense power in the electoral process.

“When a voter uses his vote, he is not just expressing his choice but exercising his franchise, which is a powerful tool in shaping the future of our democracy,” Pole said.

He encouraged the electorate to recognise the significance of their vote and to participate actively in the upcoming elections. Reflecting on past elections, the CEO appreciated the historic voter turnout witnessed in the Lok Sabha elections and expressed optimism for an even greater turnout in the upcoming assembly elections. He extended his gratitude to the people of Shopian for their active participation in previous elections and encouraged them to continue this trend.

District Election Officer (DEO) Shopian, Muhammad Shahid Saleem Dar, while addressing the gathering, reiterated that district administration is committed to ensuring free and fair elections. The DEO emphasised the importance of each vote and urged the public to actively participate in the democratic process.

During the programme, students from various educational institutions presented colourful cultural performances on the theme of voter participation, further inspiring the audience to exercise their right to vote. A pledge was also administered by the CEO to participants during the event, encouraging all attendees to promote voter turnout and ensure that every eligible voter in the district exercises their franchise.

SSP Shopian Anayat Ali, Principal GDC Shopian Muhammad Shafiq, and ADC Shopian Zakir Hussain Faaz also attended the event.