Samanda: The weekly market of Garo hills will turn into a campaign ground for most political parties in the run-up to the Assembly elections as this gives them an opportunity to connect directly with the electorate.
Most political parties are yet to begin their campaign across the state. But the administration has stepped up its preparedness with its campaign on ethical voting and voter verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT), which are being used for the first time in Meghalaya.
VVPAT provides feedback to voters using electronic voting machines. It functions as an independent verification system for the EVMs and allows voters to verify that their votes are cast as intended. It also serves as an additional barrier to changing or destroying votes.
A group of students from Loyola College, Williamnagar, wearing white T-shirts with the tagline "Cast your vote with conscience" written in Garo language, on Monday roamed around in the market, announcing that Garo singer Browny Marak wouldaddress the electorate at Samanda market. Within a few minutes, the entire marketplace was thronging with people and Marak made his appearance.
The administration of East Garo Hills has appointed Marak the "election icon" of the district. He will visit different market areas to raise awareness on exercising franchise.
"An individual with a voter identity card should not remain indoors during election day. Please come out and exercise your rights and choose the candidate of your choice," he said.
Samanda is about 15km from Williamnagar in East Garo Hills.
The group also staged a street drama to spread the message that voting is about individual and independent choices and everyone should exercise their franchise without any fear or favour.
It is an accepted practice in most villages of Garo hills that a head or a leader takes the decision about which candidate to vote for. The leader then calls a meeting and decides on behalf of the entire village or society, announcing which candidate should be chosen.
As part of the Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) campaign, the administration has also started using jingles and songs, composed by Marak, to the draw the voters' attention through social media platforms.
