Election commission ropes in famous singers and sportspersons
By Archisman Dinda
- Image Credit: Archisman Dinda/Gulf News
- The Election Commission has organised kite flying to encourage voters to cast their franchise.
Guwahati: The election department of Meghalaya is banking on music and
kites — the two favourite pastimes of the people of the region — to
create awareness among voters, especially first-time voters, to
encourage them to exercise their franchise.
In the 2009 general elections, the state witnessed a low voter turnout
of just 64 per cent which the department wants to change and is adopting
various innovative ways, P. Naik, Chief Election Officer of Meghalaya,
said.
“This time we are hoping that music and kites do the trick for us. We
are also doing on door–to-door campaigns to ensure higher voter
turnout,” said Naik.
With the slogans “Your Vote Counts”, “India needs you to vote” engraved
on them, colourful kites of various shapes and designs swerved in the
clouds as a large crowd gathered to take part in the competition at the
Golf club in the scenic city of Shillong.
Kites fitted with lights were also spotted in the evening sky as part
of the “1001 lights” programme to spread awareness among voters on the
importance of exercising their franchise when the state goes to the
polls on April 9 to elect its two representatives from Tura and Shillong
parliamentary constituencies.
“Kite flying is very popular in the state. Hence we thought of using
the medium to reach out to the people and encourage them to vote,” said
Sanjay Goyal, the polling officer of the constituency. “We will organise
many such programmes in the run-up to polling day so that people
understand the value of their vote,” said Goyal. The state poll panel is
hoping for a 20 per cent rise in voting.
The state poll panel has also roped in famous singers, bands and sports
persons to spread awareness. Nationally famed choir group Shillong
Chamber Choir, popular singer Headingson Ryntathiang, along with former
world champion karate kid Linza F, Syiem, sensational boxer Torak
Kharpran and local designer Tatania Momin are among those who are
appealing to the people, especially the youth, to vote.
A music video by the choir titled “Just one”, which features the
state’s artistes and sport stars, has already become an instant hit with
the young voters of Meghalaya.
“We are indeed privileged to be a part of the campaign. It is our duty
to vote and if we are able to encourage people in the state to vote, we
will be performing the duty every Indian must do,” said Neil Nongkynrih,
founder of the choir.
Meghalaya is a state in north-east India. The name means “abode of clouds” in Sanskrit.
Capital: Shillong, a popular hill station, is known as the “Scotland of the East”
Area: 22,429 sq km
Chief Minister: Mukul Sangma (Indian National Congress)
Parliamentary constituencies: 2 - Shillong and Tura
The main political parties of the state are Indian National Congress
(INC), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and National People’s Party (NPP).
Key political personalities: Mukul Sangma
Purno Sangma, Speaker of Lok Sabha from 1996 to 1998 and Chief Minister of Meghalaya from 1988 to 1990
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