Acid attack survivors lead voter awareness drive

Varanasi: “Today, we have emerged as fighters from being victims, thanks to the support from several quarters, including the government,” said one of the four acid attack survivors who were mobilising voters to exercise their right to vote for the government of their choice.

The acid attack survivors, including Kajal, Khushbu, Sania, and Reshma from Lucknow, joined the Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP), a flagship programme of the Election Commission of India, on the initiative of the district election officer of Mau district, Pravin Mishra, at the community hall of Nagar Palika Parishad.

Mau has already witnessed the voluntary participation of transgenders in this campaign. These acid attack survivors, along with a group of transgenders, made motivational appeals, especially to women and first-time female voters, to actively participate in the election by exercising their franchise to ensure the formation of a government that cares for its people. Addressing the gathering, one of the acid attack survivors, Sania, said, “After the acid attack, we once thought there was nothing left in the world for us. But we received support from the government in our treatment, including plastic surgeries, and also in securing jobs to earn a livelihood. We showed courage to face the changes in our lives and struggled a lot to lead a normal life.”

Sharing their experiences, other speakers said that by showing determination, they have transformed from victims into fighters, and now it is time for every voter to also show determination to exercise their voting rights. Every voter holds equal power; hence, they should utilise it, they added. The group of transgenders, which has been mobilising voters for many days in the district, appealed to the voters through their songs to exercise their voting rights. The acid attack survivors and transgenders also responded to the audience’s questions about the problems they faced in their lives. They also administered an oath to utilise their voting rights.

The district election officer felicitated both groups and thanked them for their contribution to the campaign.

He expressed hope that all initiatives in this campaign would help increase the polling percentage in the Ghosi Lok Sabha constituency.

We also published the following articles recently

Lok Sabha Elections: How first-time voters can cast their vote Lok Sabha elections, conducted in seven phases till June 1, involve first-time voters eagerly waiting to contribute. The vote counting is scheduled for June 4. Voter registration and familiarity with the candidates play a crucial role in empowering new voters.

20.9L voters to exercise their right in Mysore on April 26 Mysuru prepares for Lok Sabha election on April 26 with 20.9 lakh voters. The goal is an 85% turnout, with women outnumbering men. Strict rules include a ban on mobile phones and cameras in booths.

Migrant voters may run the election show in Chandigarh Chandigarh's voter mix, including migrants from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, and Purvanchal area, plays a crucial role in deciding the Chandigarh Lok Sabha seat's fate. Evolving voting patterns and strong local leadership complicate the city's political landscape.