In order to create awareness among the voters’ on the eve of forthcoming panchayat elections, Odisha Election Watch The State Chapter of National Election Watch, in collaboration with Association for democratic reforms (ADR) launched a massive voters’ awareness campaign “My vote My Village” “My vote not for sale”. 

Many eminent dignitaries, celebrities, young volunteers of NSS Utkal University and social workers, activists from all over the State gathered here today at IDCOl Auditorium in a grand function to launch the campaign. Speakers on this occasion called for active participation of voters to ensure free, fair & violence free election. This campaign would create larger voter’s awareness to increase voter’s turnout and promote ethical voting. 

Inaugurating the campaign eminent freedom fighter Sj.Bhabani Charan Pattnaik told that the country needs dedication and sacrifice. The spirit of nationality needs to be inculcated amongst youths.

Maj.Gen Anil Verma, Head of Association for democratic reforms, emphasised that one should not take democracy as granted. Good people need to be elected to ensure accountability in the governance.For this larger voters awareness is required. Maj.Verma also stressed on inclusion of political parties under Right to Information Act.  Sj. Rabindra Nath Sahu, Secretary State Election Commission told that in the forthcoming elections 2 crore 60 lakhs voters would elect more than one lakh five thousand representatives, hence such type of voter awarness camapaigns is the need of the hour. ”. Sj. Ananta Ch. Nayak (IAS), Addl CEO cum Addl Secretary to Govt. told that the voters have an important responsibility to elect appropriate candidates. If everyone will not be conscious about this, our democracy may be weaken.

Sj. Pradosh Pattnaik, Senior Journalist, this campaign will help in strengthening the grass root level democracy.

Amongst others Cine Actress Archita Sahu, Actor Harihar Mohapatra, Former Director of Doordarshan Sj. Baikunath Panigrahi spoke on the ocassion

Mr.Ranjan Kumar Mohanty, Co-ordinator of Odisha Election Watch while welcoming the participants told that the campaign would try to reach to almost all the panchayat samiti of Odisha through various mass media programmes. 

Mr.Amiya Bhusan Tripathy, Former DG Police Odisha presided over the meeting and senior journalist Sj. Nageswar Patnaik coordinate the deliberations.