The Hindu                     05.04.2013

Voting is not only your right, it is your duty: HDMC Commissioner

Though election fever is yet to grip the district due to the delay in finalising the candidates by political parties, the voter’s awareness programmes being conducted on the direction of the Election Commission are going on in full swing here.

People from different walks of life, including government officials, students and the public took part in the event on Thursday, which was organised by the Systematic Voter’s Education and Electoral Programme (SVEEP) in association with the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports.

Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) Commissioner and SVEEP committee Deputy Chairman Y.S. Patil flagged off the walkathon at Kadapa Maidan grounds.

Mr. Patil appealed to the people, especially those who have attained 18 years, to vote. Exercising one’s franchise was not simply a fundamental right, it was also a duty, he said. Arrangements had been made to enrol names till April 7.

Voters must verify the inclusion of their names to avoid confusion at the last minute, he said.

The walkathon passed through the old bus station, Lain Bazaar, Lakshmi talkies, Hindi Prachar Sabha and Alur Venkat Rao Bhavan, before culminating at the R.N. Shetty Stadium. Mr. Patil accompanied the participants till the end of the event. Schoolchildren caught the public’s attention by holding placards urging people to enrol as voters and exercise their franchise without fail.