Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 15 April 2024
In view of the upcoming General Election to Lok Sabha-2024, the District Election Office, North & Middle Andaman, orchestrated a vibrant Election Awareness Rally themed “Run For Democracy” and “Election Awareness Drills” in Mayabunder Tehsil. This event, held under the Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation Program (SVEEP), reflects the resolute commitment to fostering maximum voter participation in the democratic process.
The rally, adorned with the motto “Vote On – 19th April 2024,” commenced with the flag-off ceremony led by Mr. Dilkush Meena, IAS, District Election Officer/DC, N&MA. Among the dignitaries present were Ms. Geetanjali Kandelwal, IPS, SP, N&MA, Mr. Ashish Joon, AC(HQ)/ARO, Mayabunder, Dr. Chandra Prakash Meena, Dy. SP (HQ), Commandant S.K. Lawrence, Commanding Officer, ICGS, Mayabunder, and Dy. Commandant Dhanesh R, Executive Officer, ICGS, Mayabunder. Additionally, election functionaries, officials, staff members, and students from various educational institutions, along with a substantial turnout of the general public and youths, lent their enthusiastic presence to the occasion.
The primary objective of the rally and accompanying drills was to instill a fervent sense of democratic engagement among citizens, emphasising the paramount importance of exercising their voting rights on polling day, scheduled for April 19, 2024.
Addressing the assembled gathering, Mr. Dilkush Meena, DEO/DC, N&MA, underscored the distinctive nature of the forthcoming election and highlighted the Election Commission’s endeavours to ensure inclusivity, particularly for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs). He outlined the innovative measures implemented to address public grievances swiftly and emphasised the imperative of ensuring no voter is left behind in the nation’s democratic celebration, branded as “Chunav Ka Parv Desh Ka Garv.” Mr. Meena also shed light on the diverse SVEEP initiatives undertaken by the Election Office to promote ethical voting practices and urged the public to actively participate in the electoral process, urging them to cast their votes on April 19th, 2024. He expressed gratitude to the educators, students, and the SVEEP Team of Mayabunder for their instrumental role in organising various awareness activities.
The event witnessed an impressive turnout of approximately 2500 citizens from diverse backgrounds, including students, professionals, and community leaders, with approximately 400 participants actively engaged in the proceedings.