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The government employees took out a jatha to create awareness among voters on the need for exercising franchise, in front of Udupi taluk panchayat. The SVEEP committee in the district has been working out various strategies to increase voter awareness and improve voter participation in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections. 

Zilla Panchayat CEO M Kanagavalli read out a pledge for the officials on the need for exercising franchise judiciously. This year, many innovative exercises have been proposed to make a larger impact on voter turnout as part of the Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP), an initiative of the Election Commission of India (ECI) to address voter apathy.

The SVEEP aims to address voter participation, especially in urban areas, she said. About 700 government employees representatives from NGOs and students took part in the jatha. 

The participants carried a placard which read ‘naavu mathadana madutheve, neevu maadi’ (we will cast vote, you also do so). The ZP CEO said that jatha is being held in every gram panchayat jurisdiction. A district-level jatha will be held. 
‘Do not neglect’

The ZP CEO has called upon the public to vote to strengthen the democratic set up in the country. Addressing the students of Manipal Institute of Technology here, she said the attitude of city dwellers should change. The villagers exercise their franchise enthusiastically. Accordingly, the poll percentage is high in villages when compared to cities. 

It is essential that people living in the urban areas come out of their houses and exercise franchise. Participation is essential in a democracy, she said.

“All of us should respect the Constitution. The Election Commission has made preparations for the smooth conduct of polling. We need to aim at 90 per cent of polling,” said ZP Deputy Secretary Pranesh Rao. He said that the citizens should motivate neighbours and friends to exercise their franchise. 

MIT Associate Director Veena Maben and Assistant Professor Balakrishna Muddodi were present. 

No shandy

The Udupi Deputy Commissioner has banned shandy markets in Udupi-Chikmagalur Lok Sabha constituency on April 17. Fair will be held at Kukkundoor, Kaudur, Inna, Renjala, Ellare, Hebri-Tana, Neere, Mudaru, Shiroor, Bagwadi,  Amasebailu, Belve and Mattu. The DC has ordered to suspend the fair on the day of election. 

No shawl

The Election Commission has clarified that the use of hats, shawl, badge or symbol of political parties inside the polling booth is banned. Arrangements have been made for webcasting in 116 polling stations in the district. The training in webcasting was imparted to the students. 

Training in Mangalore

A total of 3,544 polling officials from Mangalore North, Mangalore, Mangalore South and Moodbidri were imparted with training at four places in Mangalore on Saturday. Election observer Bhaskar Savanth, Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim visited the training centres. The training for micro observers was held at Rajatadri in Manipal.