District Collector K. Bhaskar called upon all eligible persons to exercise their franchise without fail for furthering democracy.

The Collector flagged off a rally from the Gandhi statue near GVMC, organised on the occasion of the 9th National Voters Day, on Friday. The rally concluded in an awareness meeting at the VUDA Children Theatre.

The Collector administered the Voters Day pledge to the participants. Later speaking on the occasion, Mr. Bhaskar called upon all those who had attained the voting age to utilise their right without fail. He said that the Constitution of India had provided voting right all citizens. Andhra University Vice-Chancellor G. Nageswara Rao said India was the largest democracy in the World. He described the higher percentage of voting in rural areas compared to urban areas as a blot on democracy.

VMRDA Commissioner P. Basant Kumar spoke.