Budgam, May 06: The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) J&K, Pandurang K Pole on Monday flagged off a mega bicycle rally under SVEEP at Sports Stadium Budgam.
The rally in which hundreds of school going children participated, raised awareness on the right to exercise franchise.
The participants carried ply cards pasted on their backs, and loudspeaker mounted vehicles generated awareness on the importance of voting.
The rally passed through the main road Budgam and culminated at Mirgund Chowk.
While talking to media persons, Pandurang K Pole, the Chief Electoral Officer of Jammu and Kashmir said that preparations for the upcoming Parliamentary elections in Kashmir valley are in the advanced stage. Training sessions for the polling staff are currently underway, with two sessions already conducted in Kashmir valley. This is the third training session being provided to the polling staff in the region.
“The process of home voting will commence in a few days. Our polling parties will visit homes and set up temporary polling booths for senior citizens and individuals with disabilities, as well as for voters who have submitted applications to the election commission.” Pole said
The Chief Electoral Officer also confirmed that all arrangements and preparations from the Jammu and Kashmir police’s side have been finalized for the upcoming elections in the Kashmir valley. The parliamentary elections for the three assembly constituencies in the Budgam district will be held on 13th May, falling under the Srinagar parliamentary constituency. However, the remaining assembly constituencies, including Beerwah and Budgam, which come under the Baramulla Parliamentary constituency, will have elections on 20th May this month.
“The election department, consisting of District Election officers (DEOs), SVEEP Nodal Officers, and their respective teams, is making efforts to reach out to every voter. Our aim is to ensure that all voters, including women, senior citizens, young voters, and Special abled voters are included in the electoral process. We are also providing voter awareness and emphasizing the importance of casting votes,” he said.
According to Pole, people have the freedom to vote for their preferred candidates. He stressed the significance of young voters’ participation in elections, as it strengthens democracy and allows them to exercise their right to vote.
The CEO further emphasized that every vote counts and that it is the voter’s finger on the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) that determines the future.
During the event, District Election Officer (DEO), Deputy Commissioner Budgam, Akshay Labroo, and SSP Budgam, Nikhil Borkar, were also present.
Later, the Chief Electoral Officer of Jammu and Kashmir chaired a SVEEP program at Sheikh-Ul-Alam Degree College Budgam.
