Celebrating Democracy: National Voters' Day Marks 75 Years of Electoral Excellence

Introduction:

On January 25, 2024, India celebrated the 14th National Voters' Day (NVD) with great enthusiasm, marking the 75th year of service of the Election Commission of India (ECI) to the nation. The day holds special significance as it commemorates the foundation day of the ECI, established on January 25, 1950. The occasion serves as a reminder of the crucial role played by the Election Commission in strengthening the democratic fabric of the country and ensuring the smooth conduct of elections.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his appreciation for the remarkable contribution of the ECI, emphasizing the importance of National Voters' Day in creating awareness, particularly among the youth, about the need for voter registration.

Significance of National Voters' Day:

Since its inception in 2011, National Voters' Day has been observed annually on January 25 to encourage, facilitate, and maximize voter enrollment, especially among new voters. The celebration aims to spread awareness among citizens, promoting informed participation in the electoral process. The festivities extend to national, state, district, constituency, and polling booth levels, making it one of the largest celebrations in the country.

India, with a staggering 91.2 Crore eligible voters, proudly stands as the world's largest democracy. The relentless efforts of the Election Commission have led to a steady increase in the voting turnout percentage, accompanied by a significant five-fold increase in the number of polling stations.

Voters' Pledge:

A solemn pledge taken by citizens on National Voters' Day reinforces their commitment to upholding democratic traditions, ensuring the dignity of free, fair, and peaceful elections. The pledge emphasizes the importance of voting fearlessly and without succumbing to influences based on considerations of religion, race, caste, community, language, or any inducement.

14th National Voters' Day Celebrations:

The 14th National Voters' Day celebrations in 2024 were graced by the Hon'ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, who served as the Chief Guest at the national function held in New Delhi. Union Minister of State for Law and Justice, Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, attended the event as the Guest of Honour. Heads and representatives of Election Management bodies from countries such as Maldives, Philippines, Russia, Sri Lanka, and Uzbekistan were also present.

The theme for NVD 2024, 'Nothing Like Voting, I Vote For Sure,' continued the focus on encouraging voter participation. In light of the upcoming 2024 Parliamentary Elections, a commemorative postage stamp themed "Inclusive Elections" was released to mark the momentous occasion.

Honoring Excellence:

During the event, the Hon'ble President presented the Best Electoral Practices Awards for the year 2023. State and District level officers received recognition for their outstanding performance in various spheres, including IT initiatives, security management, election management, accessible election, electoral roll maintenance, and contributions to voter awareness and outreach. Awards were also given to government departments and media organizations for their valuable contributions to voters' awareness.

Additional Activities:

The Chief Election Commissioner, Shri Rajiv Kumar, presented the first copy of the ECI Publication 'ECI Initiatives for General Elections 2024' to the Hon'ble President. A voter awareness film, 'My Vote My Duty,' produced by the ECI in collaboration with renowned filmmaker Shri Raj Kumar Hirani, was screened during the event. An innovative multimedia campaign for Voter Education and Awareness for the forthcoming Parliamentary Elections 2024 was launched, accompanied by a multimedia exhibition showcasing the grandeur of Indian elections, electoral reforms, technological advancements, and election management innovations.

Conclusion:

National Voters' Day serves as a powerful reminder of the significance of active citizen participation in the democratic process. The 14th NVD celebrations not only honored the rich legacy of the Election Commission but also laid the groundwork for an inclusive and informed electoral journey as India looks forward to the Parliamentary Elections in 2024. The day's events, awards, and initiatives underscored the commitment to democracy and the continuous efforts to make the electoral process more accessible, transparent, and participative