Sand Artist Sudarsan Pattnaik Raises Awareness for First-Time Voters

In preparation for the upcoming Lok Sabha election, sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik created a sand art installation on Puri’s beach aimed at raising awareness among ‘First Time Voters.’ The artwork features a message that translates to ‘My first vote for the nation.’

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar recently inspected the election preparedness in Odisha, stating that the state is fully ready to conduct the 2024 Parliamentary and state assembly elections simultaneously. He urged all voters, including youths, women, and those in remote areas, to participate in the democratic process.

During his meeting with political parties in Odisha, the CEC addressed concerns raised about the neutrality of the state government machinery. Political parties demanded a “level-playing field” to ensure fairness in the election process, including equal access to facilities such as grounds, vehicles, and loudspeakers.

Regarding violence in the last assembly elections in Odisha, the CEC emphasized the need for the administration to prevent such incidents. He stressed the importance of ensuring a peaceful electoral process.

Feedback from political parties is considered crucial by the Election Commission, as parties play a significant role in elections. The CEC highlighted that the Vidhan Sabha elections in Odisha will conclude by June 24, 2024, and the Parliamentary elections by June 16.

Odisha has 147 assembly constituencies, including 33 Scheduled Tribe (ST) constituencies. In the Parliamentary elections, out of 31 constituencies, 13 are General, 3 are Scheduled Caste (SC), and 5 are for STs, making it the second-highest after Jharkhand.

The state has a total of 3.32 crore voters, including 1.68 crore male voters, 1.64 crore female voters, and 3380 third-gender voters. Additionally, there are 6.8 lakh very senior citizens and 9060 voters aged over 100 years.

To ensure transparency, webcasting facilities will be available in 50% of polling stations, with direct feeds monitored in control rooms for immediate action in case of wrongdoing. Furthermore, 300 polling stations will be managed by persons with disabilities, and 700 booths will be operated by young employees, emphasizing inclusivity and empowerment.