Daijiworld Media Network - Chikkamagaluru (SP)

Chikkamagaluru, Apr 19: The government and election commission have been doing everything within their command to educate people about the need to participate in the democratic process of polling in the country, which happens to be the biggest such exercise in the entire world.

However, it is surprising that a large number of people, young and old, and even educated, have been neglecting their duty to exercise their franchise that has been bestowed upon them. It is irritating and frustrating that they prefer going on a trip or tour by making use of holiday instead of casting of their vote, as they feel voting is not important.

During the first phase of polling for Lok Sabha election in the state on Thursday, people who went on a tour without taking part in the election process were felicitated in a unique way.

Because of election, government departments, banks, and private companies had declared holiday on Thursday to enable their employees to cast their votes. But several among them went on trips instead. Some such tourists were stopped near Magadi hand post and Kaimara in the outskirts of the town and checked. Many among them were found to be people working in IT-BT companies at Bengaluru. During these checks, it was found that these employees had undertaken tour without exercising their franchise although they were young and educated. Such tourists were felicitated by the district journalists union in an ironic way.

They were felicitated with a shawl, and garland made of xerox copies of Aadhaar card, PAN card, ATM card, voter ID, ration card etc. A class to create awareness about the need to vote was also held for them. These tourists were told that they were wrong in not exercising their franchise in spite of possessing Aadhaar card, voter ID, PAN card, credit card, debit card etc and instead, giving importance to making merry. The tourists were offered the above garland to educate them that they have been using government facilities but at the same time, they are not ready to discharge their responsibilities.

During this period, a few tourists said they did not like any of the candidates contesting the election. They were told about the 'NOTA' provision. They were let to proceed after obtaining their statement that they will exercise their votes next time without fail.

The journalists later lamented the fact that many among the tourists do not have the minimum awareness about the need to vote and wondered how democracy can survive in their hands. They said that the tourists who did not vote were given unique felicitation to educate them about the need to vote at least in future. District president of journalists union, G M Rajashekhar, general secretary, Byaladalu Kumar, Adoor Rajesh, and other office bearers of the union were present.