BARAMULLA: In an effort to boost voter participation in the upcoming Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, the District Election Office Baramulla organised a Mega Voter Awareness Programme under the SVEEP (Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation) in the heart of the world-renowned tourist destination of Gulmarg.
The event was presided over by the Election Observers appointed for Baramulla, Aparna U, Killu Siva Kumar Naidu, Kuldeep Narayan, Ujjwal Kumar, Sidlingappa Teli, Prakash Borgohain and the District Election Officer for Baramulla, Minga Sherpa.
The proceedings of the mega event were kicked off by the designated expenditure observer for Baramulla, Sidlingappa Teli and DEO, Baramulla, from the Gondola Base Station at Gulmarg. The ATV Rally witnessed huge participation from the local citizens, spreading the message for enhanced voter participation.
The program continued at Gondola Phase-II Station, the world’s highest cable car-connected peak, where the Election Observers and the DEO for Baramulla flagged-off an enthusiastic trekking group towards Afarwat Peak, standing at 14,400 feet, inspiring young and first-time voters to engage in the democratic process.
Meanwhile, a huge number of tourists and new voters captured memorable selfies at the SVEEP Selfie Stand at Phase II, Afarwat, and later gathered together to be captivated by the mystical Rabab performance by the National Bal Puraskar Awardee, Ishfaq Ahmad and others.
As part of the SVEEP activity, the Election Observers and DEO Baramulla participated in a plantation drive at Kongdoori, under green election initiative underscoring the commitment to promote green elections.
Meanwhile, a vibrant array of cultural programs unfolded at Kongdoori, with students and new voters enthusiastically performing on election-centric themes, including folk, rouf, Qawali, Skit etc., with an aim to promote enhanced electoral literacy.
In a symbolic gesture, the Election Observers for Baramulla and DEO distributed EPIC cards among newly registered voters who will be eligible to exercise their right to franchise for the first time during Assembly Elections 2024.
During the program, the Election Observers underscored the vital importance of every eligible voter participating in the elections to choose a candidate who will represent their interests in the assembly, thus playing a crucial role in shaping the country’s future.
Minga Sherpa expressed his gratitude to all the participants and the organizers of the program for making it a resounding success and urged all the eligible citizens to cast their votes on the 1st of October, the day district Baramulla goes to polls.

KR Desk