EC organises programmes to boost voter turnout in Assam

Special initiatives ranging from roping in a popular vlogger and a para-cyclist as campaign icons to organising street plays and rangoli competitions have been launched across Assam to encourage maximum voter participation in the assembly polls.
The initiatives are being carried out under the Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) programme as per the directions of the Election Commission, an official statement said.
“With the objective of enhancing voter turnout and spreading awareness about citizens’ fundamental democratic rights and responsibilities, a wide range of activities are being organised across the state under the supervision of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO),” it said. As part of the campaign, authorities are organising street plays, drawing and rangoli competitions, slogan-writing contests, digital poster-making events, wall-writing drives, news presentation competitions and workshops, among other creative awareness programmes.
Several districts have also introduced unique mascots and enlisted popular local personalities as SVEEP icons to connect with voters more effectively.
Among the mascots introduced are ‘Bakhar’ in Lakhimpur, ‘Ganabandhu’ in Sonitpur, ‘Jolou’ in Jorhat, ‘Chameli’ in Golaghat, and ‘Dwimlu’ and ‘Sikhiri’ in Kokrajhar.
To reach out to younger voters, Jorhat district has enlisted popular Northeast vlogger Abhinav Borah, known by his social media handle ‘LazyGuy’, as a campaign face. In Lakhimpur, actor Rajiv Duwari has been designated as an SVEEP icon.
Rakesh Banik, regarded as the first international para-cyclist from the Northeast, will also promote voter awareness through various outreach programmes across districts, the statement said. Expressing optimism about a higher turnout, CEO Anurag Goel appealed to all voters in the state to exercise their democratic right. Polling for the 126-member assembly will be held on April 9, while the votes will be counted on May 4.
Assam govt declares public holiday on April 9 for assembly polls
The Assam government declared a public holiday on April 9 as assembly polls are scheduled on that day, according to notifications.
The public holiday has been declared under Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, according to a notification issued by the General Administration Department’s Commissioner and Secretary, MS Manivann.
All government and non-government offices, urban local bodies, educational institutions, business and commercial establishments, including banks, will remain closed on that day, according to the notification.
Another notification issued by the Labour Welfare Department said April 9 will be a paid holiday in all factories, tea plantations, shops and public entertainment or amusement establishments.
Polling for the 126-member assembly will be held on that day, with the counting of votes scheduled on May 4.