Mysore/Mysuru: Stressing on the need for creating awareness on ethical voting, Zilla Panchayat (ZP) CEO K.M. Gayathri directed the officials to ensure a higher percentage of voting in the Lok Sabha (LS) polls.

She was addressing a SVEEP (Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation) Committee Meeting involving officials from various Departments, at  the ZP Hall here yesterday.

Pointing out that the SVEEP Committee has chalked out plans to promote higher voting, Gayathri said that the District-level SVEEP Committee has been formed to conduct various activities regarding higher percentage of voting and ethical voting.

Noting that officials should embark on conduct of activities, she said that awareness programmes must be held for enrolment of the specially-abled, senior citizens, gender minorities and migrant labourers on a much higher scale.

“The officials must identify polling booths which have recorded poor voter turnout in the last elections. More SVEEP activities must be carried out in the limits of such polling booths and necessary measures must be taken for ensuring a higher voter turnout. The programmes must also include performance of street plays at prominent places”, she said.

Continuing, the ZP CEO said  that the services of Anganwadi Workers and Helpers must be utilised for ensuring that the awareness programmes and other SVEEP activities for higher voting, reach the doorstep of every households.

“‘Election festival is nation’s pride, no voter should keep away from voting’ and ‘Nothing like voting: I vote for sure’ are the themes of  voting awareness programme,” she added.

She also directed the officials to conduct quiz contests, essay competitions and the like in BCM Hostels in order to create awareness on the importance of voting.

District Urban Development Planning Cell Director Shubha, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Deputy Director Shruthi and other district-level officials were present.