Team Herald
MARGAO: Goa Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai appealed to voters to exercise their franchise in a free, fearless and ethical manner.
The Governor was speaking on the sidelines of a function to celebrate the 12th National Voters Day held at Ravindra Bhavan Margao on Tuesday.
“Uphold the faith endowed by the makers of Indian Constitution to be vigilant and responsible citizens, while franchising in a free, fearless and ethical manner,” said Pillai.
Addressing the gathering, he pointed out that the basis of democracy is the right to differ. Consequently this means that the opposition in a democracy has to remain strong and competent.
“And hence voters have an important role to play,” he said.
According to him, it cannot be disputed that voting and electing the representatives would mean shaping our future and the future of the State, and the nation.
“I would like to appeal to all voters who are present here today to go to the polling stations and cast their votes without any fear or favour. I am sure with your enthusiastic participation the voting percentage in Goa will further improve”, he said.
“The basis of democracy is the right to differ. Consequently, this means that the opposition in a democracy has to remain strong and competent. If my knowledge is correct, in Indian parliamentary elections since 1952 at no stage has the ruling party won more than 50 per cent of the votes. Even with a huge majority in the Parliament, ruling parties have fallen below the halfway mark. This can be interpreted to mean that the electorate in our country has given the opposition an equally important role to play. Our democracy is a rival oriented political system,” said the Governor.
According to him, it is the fundamental duty of political parties, leaders and workers to educate the masses about the election process, right to vote and ethical voting.
He appreciated the efforts of the Election Commission pertaining to enrolling transgenders in the electoral roll, postal ballot facility for the voters above 80 years of age, and also to the people with disabilities.
