New Delhi, April 18
President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam today
called on all Indians to cast their vote “positively” in the Lok Sabha poll to
elect members “who will be guiding the destiny of the nation for the next five
years.”
“By casting your vote for a candidate who in your opinion can represent
you in the Lok Sabha, you are sowing the seeds for the creation of a prosperous
India, a happy India, a safe India, a secure India, and above all, an India with
nobility,” Dr Kalam said in his speech broadcast on Doordarshan and All India
Radio.
This is the first time in India’s democratic history that a President
has chosen to address the citizens of the country on the eve of parliamentary
elections to remind them of their duty of exercising their franchise.
“May I
remind you, that by casting your vote, you will be fulfilling the aspirations of
the children and the youth of our nation and creating a powerful system that
will make their dreams a reality,” the President said in his speech themed
“Voting is a Sacred Mission”.
He said the right to vote was a sacred right and
“an onerous responsibility that you owe to the motherland”.
“Hence, exercising
your franchise must become a priority activity for you and you should cast your
vote positively,” Dr Kalam said.
The President said elections were an occasion
that demonstrated the principle of equality of every citizen in a
democracy.
“This is an opportunity for all of you who are eligible to vote to
go to the booths and exercise your franchise. Therefore, I would request all
eligible voters, both in urban and rural areas, to give a pleasant surprise to
the nation by going and voting in large numbers,” he said.
Urging all voters to
“go ahead and exercise the fundamental right to vote,” President Kalam said:
“The deed for the day of election for you is to cast your vote and be a proud
contributor to the success of the spirit of democracy of the largest and dynamic
democracy of all democracies.”
The President said he had been assured by the
Election Commission that all polling officers and professionals responsible for
the conduct of the elections would provide easy-to-follow clarifications and
guidance to voters about their doubts, “help them smile in exercising their
franchise and be people friendly”.
