National Voters Day

The Election Commission of India celebrated the 4th National Voters Day (NVD) across the country on 25 January 2014. The theme for the 4th NVD is Ethical Voting. National Voters Day is started from 25 January 2011. NVD functions were held at more than 6.5 lakh locations across the country covering nearly all 8.5 lakh Polling Stations. Around 46000 Educational Institutions also celebrated National Voters Day.

Around 4867 Youth Voter Festivals have been held across the states to engage youth in the registration process. The National Function to mark the 4th National Voters’ Day was held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.

25th January is also the foundation day of the Commission, which came into being on this day in 1950. The Commission’s objective through NVD is to increase enrolment of voters, especially of the newly eligible ones, to make universal adult suffrage a complete reality.

The National Voters Day is also utilized to spread awareness among voters regarding effective participation in the electoral process.

Register yourself, vote with pride – President:-

President Pranab Mukherjee urged citizens to register themselves as voters and vote with pride in every election. Addressing a function organised by the Election Commission to mark the National Voters’ Day, he said: “It is your fundamental right [to vote] and please exercise it. Through increased participation, the electoral process and democracy in India will continue to grow in strength and vibrancy.”

Enthusiastic participation of the people in the electoral process was the key to healthy democracy, he said. “The voter is, therefore, the central actor in any democratic election.” The EC’s efforts at enrolling voters had borne fruit. “It is evident from the increase in the number of voters from 76 crore in 2012 to close to 79 crore in 2013,” he said.

The President presented Elector’s Photo Identity Cards to some newly enrolled voters and gave away the national awards for the best electoral practices.

Chief Election Commissioner V.S. Sampath urged the corporate sector to help in voter education and awareness and include such matters in its Corporate Social Responsibility. The process of participative elections could be taken up as a national mission.