Hyderabad: Dr. O.P. Rajath Kumar, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Telangana state today said that in a democracy, voting is a fundamental right and every citizen must exercise it. Inaugurating a photo exhibition, Our Vote- Our Right, at Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station (MGBS) here today, the CEO said that though voting is not compulsory in our country, citizens must be made aware that it is crucial to vote, and elect our representatives, who will rule us for five years in a free and fair manner. The CEO said that, elections are festivals of democracy and each and every citizen , must exercise his right to vote. He said each person must vote and motivate his/her family and friends to vote. He urged people not to give in to any kind of inducement and vote in a free and fair manner.
Komaraiah, Executive Director, TSRTC, said that exhibitions like this would make people more aware about the importance of voting. He said RTC was making elaborate arrangements for poll personnel and people on December 7, voting day.
T.V.K. Reddy. ADG(Region) Ministry of I & B, Hyderabad said that the percentage of voting in the last elections has been just 52 per cent. This year efforts are being made to increase the percentage by at least 10 per cent . He said urban voters particularly, should come forward and cast their vote. He said the election commission was trying hard to increase the poll percentage by 10 per cent. Shri Reddy said that November 26, being National Constitution Day, people must vote to strengthen democracy, which is emphasised in our Constitution.
Ramesh Reddy, DCP, East Zone said that large number of police personnel were being deployed in the state to ensure free, fair and peaceful elections. The exhibition has been organised by the Regional Outreach Bureau, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. Rajath Kumar distributed prizes to students of Government City College and Viveka Vardhini College, who have won the Essay writing and Elocution competitions organised by ROB, Hyderabad. Song & Drama artistes performed skits emphasising the importance of voting.
The following students won prizes : Telugu Essay writing : B.Latha, P.Vamsi ; English Essay Writing : Rishabh Pant,. Y.Swathi, Neha Jagtap
Telugu Elocution : K.Hari Sri, Anvesh, Anusha, G.Nagesh, Md Asim Khan, Anchal Fatima
M.Devendra, Joint Director, ROB, Dr.Manas Krishna Kanth, AD, ROB, P.Ratnakar, DD, PIB, I. Hari Babu, AD, ROB, Smt P. Bharata Lakshmi, FPO, ROB and several I & B officials participated in the programme. (NSS)
