Run for democracy held on voters day

SHILLONG, JAN 25: On the eve of the 6^th National Voters Day on Monday the state election department and the office of the Meghalaya’s Chief Electoral Officer organised the Run For Democracy and Inclusion in collaboration with the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs in Shillong.

The run evoked good response. The run took place from the U Soso Tham auditorium complex-Polo- Golflink-  Mawroh-Jaiaw-Riatsamthiah-GS Road – Kachari Point- Raj Bhavan point and back to the U Soso Tham auditorium covering  a distance of about 10 Kms .

More than 1200 participants of various age group and personnel in uniform participated in the run. The winners are as follows:-

1. 18- 35 yrs category Men : S Wahlang ( 1^st), M Ramsiej( 2^nd) , J Ramsiej( 3^rd)
2. 18- 35 yrs category, Women : D Marwein ( 1^st), D Iangjuh( 2^nd), B Marwein( 3^rd)
3. 35-50yrs category, Men : T Wahlang ( 1^st), Tlanding Wahlang( 2^nd), S Sohshang( 3^rd)
4. 30-50yrs, Women : K Namshun ( 1^st), D Ramsiej( 2^nd), D Pakyntein( 3^rd)
5. 50yrs & above category, Men :  S Mawlong ( 1^st), K Kharpor( 2^nd), K Kharmawphlang( 3^rd)
6. 50yrs & above category, Women :  Dr C Lyngdoh ( 1^st),  R M Wahlang( 2^nd), P Rani( 3^rd)
7. Personnel in Uniform, Men : C Gharti( 1^st), B Lyngkhoi( 2^nd), Gokul Rai( 3^rd)
8. Personnel in Uniform,  Women :  M Shylla( 1^st), P Sancley( 2^nd),A Nongrum( 3^rd). Besides the prizes there were also consolation prizes

A function for prize distribution was held after the run in which Meghalaya chief secretary PBO Warjri was the chief guest.

Additional chief secretary and State Chief Electoral Officer P Naik informed the gathering that Meghalaya is the first state in India to achieve 100% photo electoral roll coverage. He also stated that the voting percentage in Meghalaya in series of elections was excellent and this is because various awareness programmes were held and  including various activities that are being taken up in  different districts of the state,  such as SVEEP, etc.

Naik stressed on the need for mass enrolment in the electoral rolls and the importance of voting in order to ensure healthy democracy.

In his speech, Warjri talked about the importance of democracy. That almost all countries in the world today have democratic set up and hardly find countries that are still following the old system of governance and this is because the democratic set up always brings development .

Warjri further stated that, besides the rights and various freedoms that the citizens are entitled to, they should not infringe upon others’ freedom and liberty. All citizens of the country have the freedom of speech, but this does not mean that we can speak all nonsense. Therefore, rights and freedoms are to be exercised in proper ways, he added.- By Our Reporter

.

Memo No No. EL. 114/2015/91-A,                       Dated Shillong, the 25^th January, 2016.

Copy to :

1. 1.      The Director, IPR, Meghalaya with a request kindly to circulate this Press release to the PRESS.

( T Lyngwa)

Joint Chief Electoral officer,

Meghalaya