Kodagu Deputy Commissioner and District Election Officer S.J. Somashekhar has called upon all eligible youth who have completed 18 years of age to compulsorily exercise their right to vote by enrolling in the electoral rolls.
He was speaking while presiding over National Voters’ Day celebrations organised by the Election Commission of India and the District Administration at the Deputy Commissioner’s office hall on Sunday.
Describing elections as a “festival of democracy”, he emphasised the role of young voters in strengthening democratic values. He also highlighted the improvements made by the Election Commission in ensuring free and fair elections and explained the provisions for inclusion, deletion and correction of names through Forms 6, 7 and 8.
First Additional District and Sessions Judge G. Surendra, who inaugurated the programme, said India has a large young voter base and urged youth not to neglect voting for leisure activities.
District Superintendent of Police Bindumani recalled the excitement of receiving a voter ID for the first time and stressed the importance of voting without influence.
Voter ID cards were distributed to newly enrolled voters, and winners of district- and taluk-level competitions were awarded. Booth-level officers who performed well were also felicitated.
