South Dinajpur to conduct two-day drive on voting rights

Balurghat: South Dinajpur district administration will conduct a special awareness drive for two days to encourage people to cast votes during the upcoming Parliamentary elections slated for the region on April 23.

Addressing mediapersons the district magistrate Deepap Priya P said on Monday: "The district administration will organise an awareness drive for two days starting Tuesday to encourage the voters, especially the new ones, to cast votes," she said. Priya P said the district administration was on alert to ensure free and fair polls in the region.

"The Election Commission of India has directed us to ensure voters' participants in large numbers in the upcoming poll. We have introduced a special mask mascot to attract young generations to enlist their names in the electoral roll. We are happy to announce that our initiative has received good response from people," she said.

Answering a question about the deputation of Central forces in South Dinajpur, she said the district administration is yet to receive any information on the issue. In a significant announcement, the district magistrate said mediapersons on the basis of their applications may be able to cast Election Duty votes.

"We know that the district correspondents remain busy covering the reports on poll. If they want, they can cast ED votes. This is happening for the first time in the district," she said. She also sought cooperation from the media to ensure hassle-free polls.

She said the district has 1305 polling booths and 144 sectors. Later, during the press conference she unveiled a huge election mascot.