Guv emphasises voting’s role in strengthening democracy

Jaipur: Speaking at the 15th National Voters' Day ceremony held at Rajasthan International Centre Saturday, Governor Haribhau Kisanrao Bagde said voting holds the power to "elevate the small and diminish the mighty."
The governor also administered an oath to participants to vote fearlessly to strengthen democracy. He said that when India gained Independence, Winston Churchill remarked that India was an ignorant nation where democracy cannot flourish. "It is our Indian culture based on human values that has made India the largest democratic nation in the world," Bagde said.
He encouraged new voters to register in the electoral roll and participate in voting. He called upon everyone to assist in rectifying errors in electoral rolls and to work together to increase voter turnout.
During the ceremony, the governor honoured 35 officials with commendation certificates for their work in voter awareness. A message from the Election Commissioner of India, Rajiv Kumar, was also broadcast during the event.
State election commissioner Madhukar Gupta called for celebrating voting day as a festival. Chief election officer Naveen Mahajan elaborated on the innovations in voting conducted in Rajasthan.