Expect change by exercising voting rights, DC tells youths

MYSURU: Youths can expect a lot of change if they exercise their voting rights, said deputy commissioner C Shikha here on Sunday.
Speaking after inaugurating the National Voters’ Day at Kote Anjaneya Swamy temple, she said that those who have attained the age of 18 should register their names at the upcoming intensive registration campaign. Apart from new registrations, the campaign can be utilized to rectify errors in voter identity card and other issues, said Shikha.
The district administration plans to conduct voter awareness programmes in all taluks and villages throughout the year. More number of college students will be included in the SWEEP programme. Shikha said that despite various programmes, not more than 60% in urban areas turned up to vote in the previous general and assembly elections.
On the occasion, the district administration presented voter identity cards and t-shirts to newly enrolled voters. Later, Shikha flagged of a jatha which passed through KR Circle and Devaraj Urs Road before culminating at the deputy commissioner’s office. A human chain was formed at KR Circle.
Girls from department of youth service and sports hostel, their assistant director K Suresh and basketball coach Patil took the lead in participating in the procession. Newly enrolled voters and election officers were also part of the procession. Placards and banners, carrying messages on the significance of voting, were displayed during the procession. City corporation commissioner Betsurmath and other district officials were also present.
While previous year’s National Voters’ Day function was organized at Rani Bahadur Institute, this time the district administration decided to hold the programme in front of Kote Anjaneya Swamy temple to ensure more participation from the public.
According to the district administration’s latest record, in 11 assembly constituencies, the total number of electorates is 23,03,607. Among them, 11,65,204 are men and 11,38,403 women.