India is set to celebrate the 14th National Voters’ Day (NVD) on January 25, marking the foundation day of the Election Commission of India (ECI), which was established on January 25, 1950. The annual celebration, observed since 2011, aims to create electoral awareness among citizens and promote active participation in the electoral process.
Significance of National Voters’ Day:
The primary objective of National Voters’ Day is to foster awareness about the importance of voting and encourage citizens to engage in the electoral process. It serves as an occasion to facilitate the enrolment of voters, especially newly eligible young voters. The day is dedicated to honoring voters across the country, with special ceremonies held to felicitate and provide Elector Photo Identity Cards (EPIC) to new voters.
The celebration of NVD extends to national, state, district, constituency, and polling booth levels, making it one of the largest electoral awareness events in the country.
National Voters’ Day 2024 Theme:
The theme for this year’s celebration is ‘Nothing Like Voting, I Vote For Sure,’ continuing from the previous year. The theme emphasizes the unique and irreplaceable nature of the voting process, encouraging citizens to exercise their right to vote.
Celebrations and Events:
The Election Commission of India is organizing a national function in New Delhi to commemorate National Voters’ Day. Droupadi Murmu, the President, will be the Chief Guest, while Arun Ram Meghwal, Union Minister of State for Law and Justice (Independent Charge), will be the Guest of Honour. The event will also witness the participation of heads and representatives from Election Management bodies of several countries, including Maldives, Philippines, Russia, Sri Lanka, and Uzbekistan.
During the event, President Murmu will present the Best Electoral Practices Awards for the year 2023. These awards will recognize State and District-level officers for their outstanding performance in various aspects of election management, including IT initiatives, security management, accessible elections, electoral roll management, and voter awareness.
Additionally, awards will be presented to significant stakeholders, such as government departments and media organizations, for their valuable contributions to voters’ awareness.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also scheduled to address a large number of young voters on National Voters Day through a program organized by the youth wing of the ruling BJP.
