The Chief Electoral Officer, Rajesh Lakhoni, kickstarted the selfie with your Elector Photo Identity Card (Epic)’ campaign asking students to post a selfie with their Epic on social media.
This was part of the campaign for electoral fairness launched by Lakhoni at Ethiraj College for Women iat Egmore on Friday, in which he appealed to the audience to make use of their right to vote.
Lakhoni told the students that youth had the power to ensure a free and fair election, and thus get rid of acts such as vote-for-cash which gave rise to corruption. M. G. Devasahayam, a retired civil servant, U. Sagayam, IAS officer, Satta Panchayat Iyakkam head Senthil, chairman of Ethiraj College, Mike Muralidharan, and social activist Abdul Ghani K were present. “There are over five crore voters in the state of which only about 72 per cent exercised their franchise, “ Lakhoni said.
“We have made the system simple. Everything is available online — be it registering of a new voter or reporting a lost voter ID card. Also, people can send a message to the number 1950, for any complaints or requests,” he added.
Sagayam appealed to students to reject bribes and hold their heads high. “Right to vote is your right, and make sure you vote to bring the deserving party to power unfazed by influence of money,” he said.
The aim of the campaign is to ensure maximum participation by youngsters. For this, campaigns will be held at various schools and colleges. For any complaints or queries regarding election process, a text can be sent to 9444123456.
