Don’t let go voting right, says Bhanwar Lal

Rajamahendravaram: ‘The Right to Vote’ is a powerful weapon in any democracy, state Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Bhanwar Lal said here today.

During his interaction with the students of Sri Prakash Vidyaniketan at Divan Cheruvu near Rajamahendravaram on Saturday, Bhanwar Lal said that conducting elections is a major important step in the democracy.

‘The Right to Vote’ was exclusively given to the youth who attain the age of 18 years and they should make the most of the given opportunity to choose leaders with clean image. In the same vein, he advised the youth not to misuse ‘the right to vote’ while electing leaders.

He called upon everyone who turns 18 years, by January 1, 2018, to enroll as a voter to be eligible for franchise in 2019 elections. Strict vigil is being maintained on the candidates who lure people during the elections and the election commission will be severe on the offenders, warned the state CEC.

Also, steps have been taken to prevent the influence of money and liquor during elections, he maintained. He advised the candidates to rise above caste, creed, religion and regional factors while electing their representatives.

He warned that a stern action will be taken on the candidates who whip up passion on religion and caste grounds. Conducting elections efficiently is a big challenge in a country where there is a multiplicity of parties and 90 crore voters.

The constitution has given ample rights to every eligible voter to contest in elections.

East Godavari District Collector H Arun Kumar, Joint Collector J Satyannarayana, JC-2 P Radhakrishna Murthy, Sub-Collector Vijay krishnan and the Director, Sri Prakash Vidyaniketan, Vijaya Prakash were also present during the interaction programme.