Pics: Umesh Marpalli

Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Mar 24: District Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) organised an awareness programme at Udupi Press Club here on Saturday, March 23.

Deputy commissioner Hephsiba Rani said, "The committee has been engaged in SVEEP activity for the past one month. The Election Commission has given clear instructions and notifications to ensure that polling booths are accessible to all voters. It has fixed certain targets to be achieved and is focusing on persons with disabilities. We need physical and logistic preparation for conducting SVEEP activities in the city."

She also warned against urging voters to choose 'none of the above' (NOTA) option. "Choosing NOTA is not wrong; it is people's right. But using it to influence anyone or campaigning for it or provoking people to opt for NOTA falls under violation," she said.

"We are organising the programmes with an aim to reach out to the last voter of the society. There is value for each vote. Media plays an important role in opinion formation. It is a constitutional right. There are 25 days left to raise awareness," she said.

The DC pointed out that priority is being given to spread information among voters. "We are getting good response from post-metric hostels. Mock polling is being conducted in colleges and materials like pamphlets are being distributed to the students. As many as 35 campus ambassadors have been selected to raise awareness among the youth. We want to break last time's polling record," she said, urging people to not be influenced by those who try to lure them.

CEO of Udupi zilla panchayat Sindhu Roopesh said, "ECI has instructed to provide transport facilities for people with disabilities and senior citizens. We have given the responsibility of arranging transport to panchayat officials," she said.

There are 1,111 polling stations in 701 places. The committee has completed 40-50% of awareness activities. More than 60,000 people got these benefits, she added.

DC Hephsiba said, "There is no special programme to attract NRIs to vote. But we hope that they come to exercise their right."

The DC also addressed the water shortage issue in the city. "We have decided to supply water three days in a week to city area due to shortage. We have instructed all the panchayats to take immediate action to tackle the water problem."

The committee involved journalists in the activities. Ganesh Prabhu administered the polling oath to journalists.

Khadar Sha, public information department officer, and Raju K, nodal officer of the committee were present at the press meet.