Jan 26: Despite temperatures plunging below minus 7 degrees Celsius, National Voters’ Day was celebrated with remarkable enthusiasm at the Ice Hockey Ground, Biamaithang, Kargil, showcasing the strong democratic spirit of the frontier district of Ladakh.
The event was attended by the Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor (CEC), LAHDC Kargil, Dr Mohd Jaffer Akhoon, who graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, while District Election Officer and Deputy Commissioner Kargil, Rakesh Kumar, attended as the Guest of Honour.
Adding a unique local flavour to the celebrations, an ice hockey match was organised between the CEC Club and DC Club, in which the CEC Club emerged victorious. A Speed Skating event was also held, drawing enthusiastic participation and applause from spectators. To further strengthen voter awareness, the Ranthag Theatre Group, Kargil, presented a thematic skit highlighting the importance of voting and active democratic participation.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Mohd Jaffer Akhoon said that Kargil has recorded one of the highest voter turnouts in the recent Parliamentary elections, with participation exceeding 74 per cent, reflecting the people’s deep faith in India’s democratic system. He lauded the tireless efforts of Booth Level Officers (BLOs) for strengthening democracy at the grassroots level and urged newly enrolled voters to exercise their franchise responsibly and conscientiously.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the event, Deputy Commissioner Rakesh Kumar highlighted the consistent and enthusiastic participation of Kargil’s citizens in electoral processes. He encouraged residents to work collectively towards making Kargil the first district in the country to achieve 100 per cent voter turnout. He also called upon new voters to act as ambassadors of electoral awareness within their communities.
The Deputy Commissioner further informed that the Election Commission of India (ECI) has introduced several user-friendly and advanced digital initiatives, allowing citizens to access electoral services through ECI mobile applications without the need to visit government offices, thereby enhancing convenience and transparency.
Later, a voters’ pledge was administered by the Additional District Commissioner, Kargil, reaffirming the commitment of citizens to uphold democratic values. The programme concluded with the distribution of prizes and trophies among players and participants by the Chief Guest and other dignitaries.
The celebration underscored Kargil’s unwavering commitment to democracy, proving that even extreme weather cannot dampen the people’s dedication to participatory governance.
