Spreading the message of higher political participation for a healthy democracy through SVEEP activities

Implementing SVEEP program crucial for universal voting, fair elections in Belagavi, says District CEO Rahul Shinde.

Systematic Voter Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) programme needs to be effectively implemented to ensure that there is near universal voting and a free and fair elections, Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer and District SVEEP nodal officer Rahul Shinde said in Belagavi on Thursday.

“Officers in charge of the voter education programme should not only implement existing programmes properly but also come up with innovative ideas to motivate more people to vote without fear or favour,” he said.

“These programmes and ideas should be focussed on increasing the percentage of voting in the district and create awareness among voters about ethical voting,” the CEO said.

He was addressing a meeting of the District SVEEP Committee in the zilla panchayat. These activities should be continuous. They should be systematically and effectively organized by the committees at various levels, he said.

He pointed out that voter turnout in the last elections was lower in urban areas compared to rural areas.

“We have to spread the message that a healthy democracy is dependent on higher political participation. We have to make the city dwellers realise that voting is not just their Constitutional right but also a moral duty,” he said.

Officers need to work with teams of youngsters, artists, singers and theatre personalities to drive these ideas into young minds, he said.