PASIGHAT, Nov 18: Additional Deputy Commissioner Tatdo Borang stressed on the need for creating more awareness on voting by involving community based organisations, NGOs and youth organizations so that “voters feel empowered and express their willingness to vote for the right candidates.”
The ADC was speaking during a district-level workshop on grassroots democracy awareness, which was held at the DC’s conference hall here in East Siang district on Monday.
Addressing participants, including Mebo ADC Hage Lailang, SDO Oli Perme, EAC Election Sibo Pasing, and representatives of various community based organisations, NGOs and youth organizations, Borang said that “elections are the backbone of democracy and voting is the most vital aspect of participation as it gives citizens of India the right to choose their leaders, who in turn, are expected to represent their concerns and voices at appropriate levels in government.”
“Experience shows that people residing in rural areas are unusually unaware of election processes, their rights and duties about voting. Efforts by the election commission to generate mass awareness are often not adequate for grassroots level, which typically demands community meetings, voting awareness drives, etc by the district administration,” he added.
Resource persons of the workshop, Jawahar Lal Nehru College (JNC) Associate Professor Dr Putuli Langkam delivered a lecture on local self-government and evolution of the Panchayati Raj and Municipality in Arunachal Pradesh, while JNC Assistant Professor Danggen Dameng spoke on electoral offences, corrupt practices and MCC.
Other resource persons, JNC Assistant Professor Marshal Gao and Circle Officer Khoda Lasa threw light on duties and responsibilities of political parties and media and role of state election commission.
The workshop was also attended by East Siang Deputy Commissioner Kinny Singh. (DIPRO)