Doraha: Guru Nanak National College students take out rally to spread awareness on voting

Lovleen Bains

Doraha, December 6

The NCC, NSS, Youth Club and Press Club of Guru Nanak National College organised a voter awareness programme under SWEEP here today. Apart from participating in declamation and essay writing contests, students took out an awareness rally to exhort voters to exercise their right to universal franchise wisely and without bowing to any political pressure.

Young boys and girls, who had attained the age of 18 years, were asked to get themselves registered as voters as exercising their right to vote was their moral duty and constitutional right.

Essay writing competition and declamation contest was organised to spread awareness among first time voters and others.

Officiating college Principal Dr Nirlep Kaur exhorted young voters to exercise their right cautiously as their decision may tell upon political, economic and social health of the nation if taken otherwise.

Nodal officer Prof Gurpreet Singh opined that the youth was the hope of the country. Every decision taken by them would directly influence policies to be framed and system to be followed, he added.

“In a democratic system, the power is in the hands of the youth, who have the capacity to take independent and bold decisions,” he said. “Every single vote counts. So, the thought of not voting is killing democratic system of the country,” he added.

General secretary of the college management committee Harpratap Brar said, “Young voters should be awakened to choose the right candidate and vote cautiously. It is but natural for first time voters, as many of them are in college, to be excited and overwhelmed to exercise their right to vote.”

“It is a golden opportunity and a big challenge for young voters to think in terms of choosing a candidate worthy of representation and capable of thinking for the people and able to run the government as per the needs and demands of the general public,” he added.

When contacted Tehsildar Pardeep Bains said, “The government is trying its level best to involve more and more young voters in the voter awareness drive. Such programmes are being organised as daily routine. It is duty of students as young voters to make others aware of the importance of voting and ask them to vote judiciously.”

“Each voter should think twice before casting his or her vote without bowing before any pressure. If the voter finds no suitable candidate, he or she can select the none of the above (NOTA) option instead of not voting at all,” he added.