Vote for better future, Guv tells youth

​Hyderabad: Governor ESL Narasimhan on Friday appealed to the people and youth to make use of their voting opportunity in the elections for better future. Participating as the chief guest in the National Voters Day-2019 celebrations here, the Governor commended the Election Commission for making special arrangements to the Persons with Disabilities, visually impaired and the senior citizens to ensure they exercise adult franchise in the elections.      

Narasimhan said that he would be happy if the turnout in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections registered 90 per cent as against 70 per cent in the previous elections.“ Unless people participate in voting, they do not have any right to question the government. A holiday given on voting day is not meant to sit at home and watch TV but to go out and cast your vote”, the Governor said. 

 Telangana Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Rajat Kumar said that increasing the percentage of voters was the ultimate aim of the Election Commission by conducting awareness. He maintained the tampering of EVMs are baseless allegations. The official claimed the efforts made by the EC are yielding good results in the increase of the voter turnout. He exhorted people to register their names online on the official website to enroll their names in the voters’ list.

State Election Commissioner Nagi Reddy expressed displeasure at city people for keeping away from voting process, while their counterparts in districts have shown good response. “India tops in every sector in the world and has three-pronged security. In elections, while some countries witness bloodshed, India holds the elections in a peaceful manner. Panchayat polls have registered 90 per cent polling in the first phase and second phase will see the same percentage. Everyone has to vote for strengthening democracy, he added. 

GHMC Commissioner Dana Kishore, City Police Commissioner Anjani Kumar also attended the programme. On the occasion, Voter ID cards were distributed to first-time voters and awards were presented to the officials for best performance in the recently concluded elections. Deputy CEO Budha Prasad and Joint CEO Amrapali and other officials were present.