Team Herald

margao: “It is your fundamental right to vote and use it judiciously as you can make or break a government with it,” said Agnelo Fernandes, Chief Officer of Margao Municipal Council while speaking to the young voters at the function held to observe the 11th National Voters Day.

As the theme is “making our voters empowered, vigilant and safe” he asked the new voters not only to vote but also to get their parents and neighbours to participate in the electoral process instead of going away for a picnic on voting day as it is a public holiday.

He also appealed to the youth to get others, who have become 18 years of age, to enroll as voters so that every eligible Indian can participate in the elections.

Earlier, while welcoming the gathering, South Goa Collector Ajit Roy spoke about the meaning of the occasion and said that the Election Commission conducts the elections in a fair manner in a country, which is recognized as the largest democracy in the world.

Video clippings of the Icons propagating voting were shown.

Some of the new voters were given their Election Photo Identity Cards while Sidharth Yaji, one of the icons, addressed the gathering.

Officials involved in election work were also felicitated for their exemplary work. These included Shrikant Vinayak Hudekar from Priol who was specially recommended as he worked for two years as BLO even after his retirement.

Somnath Tari was felicitated for being the longest serving Booth Level Officer as he has been a BLO for 17 years in Priol.