SWABI: Local welfare bodies and non-governmental organisations have launched a campaign in the district to educate voters about the importance of their participation in the May 30 local government elections.

During a ceremony here, Rohal Amin, president of Samajee Behbood Rabita Council, said his organisation had decided to begin a campaign to educate voters, both men and women, on the significance of their participation in the electoral process.

He said educating voters, especially uneducated ones, was very important as they got confused about how to use ballot paper on the polling day and thus, causing the cancelation of their votes.

“There is a need for educating people on how to poll vote,” he said.

Members of Haqooqul Ibad, a social welfare organisation from Gadoon Amazai region, said steps should be taken without delay to inform people first about the significance of participation in the electoral process and second about how to use ballot paper.

Focus is on convincing women to participate in May 30 LG polls

Amjid Ali, information secretary of the body, said the voter education campaign would continue until local body elections were held.

“We have been working on different aspects of the voting process while educating the people,” he said.

Representatives of Takal Welfare Organisation said they too worked to encourage more and more people to participate in the upcoming local body elections in the district.

They said their organisation had focused its attention on increasing the turnout of women voters in the May 30 polls, especially in the areas, where few women stepped out to cast vote in the 2013 general elections.

Another speaker, Mohammad Khushdel, said election candidates should play due role in encouraging women to exercise their right to vote.

LAID TO REST: Major Faisal Waseem, who died in the May 8 helicopter crash in Gilgit-Baltistan’s Naltar Valley, was laid to rest in his ancestral graveyard with military honour here on Thursday.

A contingent of army soldiers later presented a guard of honour to salute the deceased’s bravery.

Earlier, political leaders, senior civilian and army officials, notables and villagers attended funeral prayer.

Peshawar Corps Commander Gen Hidayatur Rehman was also in attendance. An ambulance shifted the body from Rawalpindi to the deceased’s house in Chota Lahor village.

People thronged the place to sympathise with the bereaved family.

Published in Dawn, May 15th, 2015

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