“We all have to participate in the voting process to strengthen democracy as all public benefiting plans are implemented through a democratic system. So, the young voter should cast their vote and also help others to participate in the voting process,” said Additional CEO cum Additional Secretary Satrughna Kar, joining a seminar on “Youth empowerment through civic education: Tools for informed voting,” organised by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and the Odisha Election Watch, here.

He said the main aim is to enroll all eligible voters. In the previous election 2.81% new voters were enrolled but in this year this has increased. And another 70 thousand applications are also received. He further said that every vote is important. So, everybody should vote as voting is the biggest equalizer and it brings equality among all.

In Bhubaneswar the voter turnover is not crossing 50%; so new voters should come forward and participate in more numbers and motivate others to cast their vote, Kar said and narrated about the voter helpline app, besides responding to various queries.

Odisha Election Watch State coordinator Ranjan Kumar Mohanty gave the welcome address.

Joining the seminar, former DGP, Odisha Amiya Bhushan Tripathy said voting is our right. Former Professor, Utkal University Dr Surya Narayan Mishra said civic education is necessary to increase the interest of young voters in the voting process. Former Director, State Health and Family Welfare Department, Dr Seba Mohapatra chaired the session.

Senior journalist Sandeep Sahu said the voters have to remain vigilant and aware and also use various tools like the internet, websites of Chief Election Commission, ADR and media to gather information about the candidates. Through informed voting, democracy can be strengthened, he added.

Senior journalists Jatindra Dash and Dr Soumya Parida among others spoke. An open house discussion was also held with the youths. More than 100 youths from different colleges participated.