Thanjavur: Thousands of college students-boys and girls-took the pledge to exercise their vote in the presence of Collector A Annadurai, election observer (General) Sheik Ahamed and Superintendent of Police J Mahesh.

The mega event, organised by the government’s Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) voter awareness programme, at Annai Sathya Stadium in Thanjavur today, received an overwhelming response. The college students, who participated in the programme, also pledged to encourage family members, friends and relatives to vote.

“The district administration has made all arrangements to ensure free and fair elections to Thanjavur constituency. A local holiday has been declared on November 19 to facilitate voters to participate in the democratic process and cast their votes without fail,” said Annadurai.

The awareness pledge was organised to ensure cent per cent of polling, he added.

Among others, SVEEP nodal officer A Poongothai, revenue divisional officer C Suresh and PRO Singaram participated.

The collector also watched a documentary screened by the Department of Information and Public Relations through its mobile van in public places to create awareness among the voters to ensure cent per cent voting.