Thaindian News

Lucknow, Jan 25 (IANS) The Election Commission Wednesday went on an unprecedented drive across poll-bound Uttar Pradesh to inculcate the spirit of voting among the state’s 12 crore electors.

While a mega show to mark the ‘National Voters Day’ was held in Lucknow where Governor B.L. Joshi led the voting promotion bandwagon by exhorting the citizens to make it a point to come out and cast their vote, the message was spread right down to the polling booth level across the sprawling state by lower functionaries.

As a symbolic gesture, Joshi also gave away voter cards to a few people, while he handed over certificates of appreciation to school and college children as well as organisations and officials engaged in the two-month-old campaign.

The function drew massive crowds, keeping the entire Indira Gandhi Pratishthan premises packed to its capacity. Much enthusiasm was visible among students, who not only turned up in huge numbers but also took a pledge to do everything to urge more and more people to vote.

“It was matter of serious concern that the educated were particularly shy or reluctant to exercise their right of franchise,” said the governor, expressing hope that the efforts of the election commission would bring the desired change.

The state’s pro-active chief electoral officer Umesh Sinha, who has been deeply engaged in exhorting the young and old alike to exercise their vote, expressed confidence that his efforts will not go wasted. “I am sure, our efforts to promote voting will bear fruit; I am particularly hopeful because the youth has displayed tremendous enthusiasm in join the campaign,” he told this scribe.

Praising the role of several younger officers, he said, “Some young district magistrates came up with novel ideas to encourage people to cast their vote.”

Meanwhile, in an unprecedented move initiated by district magistrate Vikas Gothalwal, a 52-km long human chain was formed on the streets and roads of Barabanki where numerous people - young and old - held each others’ hand to take a pledge that they would cast their vote this time.

In Rama Bai Nagar (earlier Kanpur Rural), district magistrate Mayur Maheshwari took the initiative of organizing 20-day long ‘matdata mahotsava’ (voters carnival). “We are going to hold a number of events focused on creating awareness about the importance and need to vote,” Maheshwari said.

“To send the message far and wide, we have decided to name these events as ‘voters marathon’, ‘Saas Chale Booth ki ore’ (mother-in-law goes to the polling booth) and the like,” he said. A one-day cricket match too has been organized under the banner of NPL (Nirvachan Premiere League).

To ensure maximum participation of people, the administration has gone for a publicity blitzkrieg. Besides the events have also been put on the website of the district administration. Seven-phased elections will be held in Uttar Pradesh from Feb 8- March 3.