'EVERYBODY SHOULD VOTE TO STRENGTHEN DEMOCRACY'
Bhubaneswar (29/03/2024): We all have to participate in the voting process to strengthen democracy as all public benefiting plans are implemented through a democratic system. So the young voter should cast their vote and also help others to participate in the voting process was said by Satrughna Kar, Additional CEO cum Additional Secretary to Government of Odisha joining a seminar on “Youth empowerment through Civic Education: Tools for informed voting” organized in Bhubaneswar. This seminar was organised at Red Cross Bhawan, Bhubaneswar by Association for Democratic Reforms and Odisha Election Watch, state chapter of National Election Watch. He said the main aim is to enroll all eligible voters. In previous election 2.81% new voters were enrolled but in this year this has increased. And another 70 thousand applications are also received. He further said that one vote is also important. So everybody should vote as voting is the biggest equalizer and it brings equality among all. In Bhubaneswar the voter turnover is not crossing 50% so new voters should come forward and participate in more numbers and motivate others to cast their vote. He narrated the youths regarding the voter helpline app and also answered their various quarries. Ranjan Kumar Mohanty, State Coordinator, Odisha Election watch gave the welcome address and shared the purpose of this seminar. He further said participation of youth and informed voting will help in strengthening the democracy and youth need to educate themselves for this purpose. Joining this seminar Amiya Bhushan Tripathy, IAS (Retd), Former DGP, Odisha said voting is our right. The main aim of this programme is to encourage and motivate new voters to cast their vote. Dr.Surya Narayan Mishra, Prof.PG.Department (Retd), Utkal University said civic education is necessary to increase the interest of young voter for participating in the voting process. The importance of voting in a democratic country should be thought to them from their childhood.
Dr.Seba Mohapatra, Former Director, Health and Family Welfare Department Goverment of Odisha chaired the session and said choosing the right candidate irrespective of the party is important and young voter need to equip them with knowledge before casting their precious vote. Senior Journalist Saneep Sahu said we have to remain vigilant and aware and also to use various tools like internet, websites of Chief Election Commission, ADR and media to gather information about the candidates. Through informed voting we can strengthen our democracy was said by him. Senior Journalist Jatindra Dash spoke about the importance of media in shaping the public opinion and he further stated that awareness and verification of information from multiple sources is important for taking informed decision. Dr.Soumya Parida, Senior Journalist, said critical thinking and analysis is necessary to stop fake news from spreading. An open house discussion was also held with the youths. More than 100 youth from different colleges, NSS participated in the seminar.
