India
State-Level function organised on the occasion of National Voters Day in Ambala
Haryana Chief Secretary, D S Dhesi said that Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha Elections would be conducted this year and the government system is fully prepared for the successful conduct of elections. “It is our collective responsibility to ensure that the elections are conducted in a free and fair manner,” he added. Dhesi said that according to data, the population of the country is about 135 crore, out of which 50 per cent of the population is below the age of 25 years, which is about 68 crore. Sixty-five percent of the population is below 35 years of age. He said that India is the world’s largest democracy, thus, all the eligible persons should get their Voters card made and also ensure 100 per cent voting.
He said that with time, the electoral system in India has changed. Earlier, paper ballot was adopted, later Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) were used in the electoral process and now, Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) has come for better transparency. Through this, any voter after casting his vote could see in next seven seconds, the candidate for whom he has cast the vote. On this occasion, the Chief Secretary also launched the Voter’s Helpline Toll-Free Number 1950 and said that any person can call on this toll-free number to get voting-related information. He also directed officers, during the state level function, to organise camps at educational institutions located in their respective areas, to encourage the eligible voters to get their voters card made. Dhesi said that social media is good medium to exchange good news but the people must refrain from posting fake news on social media. On the occasion, he administered Voter’s Oath to the officers present and also flagged off awareness van.
Chief Electoral Officer, Rajiv Ranjan, said that through this Voter Helpline Toll-Free Number, the voters would be able to get all updated information related to voting, while sitting at home.
One can get information by sending an SMS or making a call on ‘1950’. The Election Commission of India has issued the toll-free number 1950 for the convenience of the voters. He said that all information related to voters’ name, address, booth etc would be available on entering Electoral Photo ID Card (EPIC) number. He said that if any voter wants to get information from any district, they can get the information on dialing STD code before the toll-free number.
He said that all calls received on the toll-free number would be recorded and the facility of voice message would also be given to the voters to provide them all information. Besides this, the voters would also be able to resolve their elections related problems.
