Kolkata: On the occasion of National Voters Day, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday stressed on the participation of young voters in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.
In a tweet, the Chief Minister said: "Today is #NationalVotersDay. Being able to cast a vote and elect a person of our choice is what makes us the world's largest democracy. It is extremely important that the voters, specially the new, young ones, exercise their franchise in the upcoming general elections."
This comes within a week after various Opposition parties including Trinamool Congress, during a massive rally on the Brigade Parade Grounds demanded a return to the old ballot paper system instead of EVMs. The Election Commission of India has, however, rejected the demand.
Meanwhile, National Voters Day was observed by the state government at Mohar Kunjo, where state home secretary Atri Bhattacharya and chief electoral officer Aariz Aftab were present. During his speech, Bhattacharya praised the elections that are held in India, which is the largest democracy of the world.
Aftab said on Friday that the full bench of the Election Commission of India (ECI) will be visiting the city on January 30. It will hold an all party meeting on January 31 in a city hotel and also meet the District Magistrates and senior police officers from the state on the same day.
It may try to assess the preparations for the forthcoming Parliamentary elections in the state. The full bench is also likely to meet the top officials of the state government on February 1 and discuss a number of issues.
The list of electoral officers in the state would be published within January 29. The voter list has already been published. Those who have not enlisted their names will be given an opportunity to do so within January 27, Aftab said.
He also said that the ECI is ready to conduct the elections. Six District Magistrates in the state were awarded for their performance during the programme.