Every vote counts in shaping future of nation: CEO Ladakh

Leh, May 16: Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of the Union Territory of Ladakh, Yetindra M Maralkar, today said that every vote counts in shaping the future of the region and nation.

“I encourage all citizens to exercise their democratic rights responsibly,” he stated. According to an official press release, the CEO was addressing the gathering while promoting the voter participation at Sakti village.

To enhance voter awareness and mobilise participation for the upcoming General Elections 2024 in the Ladakh Constituency Lok Sabha, CEO visited Sakti village in the Kharu Sub-Division of Leh. The visit marks an essential component of the Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) Ladakh initiative, the press release said.

The event commenced with a welcome from the village Nambardar and Goba, who, along with the Lamas of Chemdey Monastery, students from the Government Council Model School, Sakti (Serthi), and residents, greeted CEO Yetinder Maralkar and officers with traditional khataqs.

Addressing the assembly, CEO Yetinder M Maralkar highlighted the importance of active participation in the electoral process and urged all eligible voters to cast their ballots on May 20.

State SVEEP Ladakh Icon, Phunsok Ladakhi, further motivated the crowd by highlighting the significance of electoral participation through a locally inspired song dedicated to the General Election 2024. Female Icon Stanzin Idzes also spoke passionately and urged the voters and the youth to ensure a strong turnout on election day, the press release said.

The SVEEP Ladakh initiative is dedicated to educating and encouraging voters across the Union Territory of Ladakh to engage actively in the democratic process. The visit of the Chief Electoral Officer to Sakti Village is part of a wider strategy to reach out to remote and rural communities, ensuring comprehensive voter awareness and participation.

Among the attendees were the Additional Secretary, Elections, Ladakh, Swaran Singh; State Icon Phunsok Ladakhi; Female Icon Stanzin Idzes; Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Kharu, Sonam Dorjey; Booth Level Officers, and other concerned officers.

On the other hand, a dedicated team from the Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation Ladakh (SVEEP Ladakh) program, led by the State Nodal Officer Dr Tsewang Morup, and District Icon SVEEP Ladakh Stanzin Dorjey Gya conducted a significant outreach initiative. The team visited prominent monasteries in the region, including Spituk, Phyang, and Likir Monasteries, to raise awareness about voter participation in the upcoming General Elections 2024.

During their visit, the team engaged with key religious and community leaders, including Ven. Gonbo Dorjey, Chakzod of Spituk Monastery, Ven. Rigzin Dorjey, Chakzod, Phyang Monastery, Chakzod, Likir Monastery, Chakzod, Ven. Lobzang Tsetan, and students of Government High School, Likir. Additionally, they met with the Nambardar of Phyang, (Tsewang Nurboo), the Nambardar of Likir (Skarma Jorgyes), and the President of the Women's Alliance, Likir, (Jigmet Choskit).

The State Nodal Officer, Ladakh Dr Tsewang Morup, highlighted the importance of every vote in shaping the future of the nation, at Phyang Monastery. Dr Tsewang Morup urged all the venerable monks to educate, inform, and encourage the voters of the areas to actively participate in the electoral process on the day of the General Elections 2024.