India being the largest democracy in the world makes elections, votes, and voters key determinants in its functioning. Elections are important for the functioning of democracy where selection of a representative is concerned. Voter partaking in those elections is one of the hard nuts to crack for democracy. Almost, one can say elections are the very soul of democracy as they provide opportunities to citizens to choose their own governing force. To recognize the importance of voters, every year on the 25th of January, India celebrates National Voters Day to celebrate the establishment of the Election Commission of India. It is the 14th National Voters Day to be celebrated in 2025 since the establishment of the Election Commission in the year 1950.
To promote awareness about the importance of voting in a democracy by prompting participation in the electoral process. It shows an individual that there is one way in which he/she can make a difference to ensure the promising future of the nation and brings forth the concept of voting as a duty of a citizen. The initiative has been introduced by the government of India with the aim of motivating young voters to make their voice heard and participate in elections and in the political scenario. In a democratic country like India, it's crucial to recognize that if we fail to vote for the right leaders, the progress of the nation could be stunted, gradually putting a hold on development and ultimately jeopardizing on the future course of the country. The first National Voters Day was observed on January 25, 2011, and has been celebrated every year with enthusiasm, fervor, and commitment to democracy. National Voters Day also beckons understanding about its genesis. At a meeting held by the Union Cabinet led by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, it was decided to observe January 25 as National Voters Day, based on a proposal made by the Law Ministry.
Rallies are held in government offices and educational institutions to emphasize the importance of voting; the effect of which is to enlighten the voters on the need for exercising the value of the votes they cast. It was discovered that new voters were shy and indifferent about registering to vote and that the Election Commission of India, along with State Election Departments and deputy commissioners, took the task of registering new voters. Accordingly, the responsibility of the Election Commission, department of State Elections, district collectors, and other bodies is considered vital in creating awareness toward the significance of voting, to exercise the right of casting a precious vote.
In democracy, citizens are endowed with some of the most fundamental rights, especially the right to vote. The people are educated about the need for exercising their vote with the aim to strengthen and sustain democracy. The new voters of 18 years are registered on the electoral rolls, and efforts are made to underline the significance of their vote so that they may be empowered to register and use their powerful and peaceful weapon, the vote, to shape the future in a democratic way when the elections come. Ambika Soni, the former minister of information and broadcasting, announced that January 25th has been designated as "National Voters Day." According to her, while a large population of new voters has crossed the legal voting age of 18 years, not in places do they show interest to get themselves registered; there are districts where enrollments hover around 20 to 25 percent. This is being seriously looked into by the Election Commission of India, which has set a target of registering eligible voters who reach the age of eighteen on January 1 of each year across all 8.5 lakh polling stations in the country. Eligible voters will be registered on this day and issued their electoral photo identity card (EPIC) on January 25 each year. Soni stated that the initiative aims to empower and inspire youth to exercise their voting rights.
The new voters are also given a badge stating: "Proud to be a voter-Ready to vote." The campaign, "No voter to be left out," would also highlight the importance of inclusivity. The National Awards are conferred for their contributions towards the conduct of free and smooth elections. They reward contributions made by the election machinery, government departments, agencies, whosoever be its PSUs, civil society organizations, NGOs, or the media. Seeing first-time voters exercising their franchise is making the biggest expressions of joy. On the 4th National Voters Day, the position adopted by the Election Commission of India was shocked by an RTI move of the disability activist, Satendra Singh, exposing an active contempt of the orders by the Supreme Court for allowing voters with disabilities to cast their votes. Election Commission of India is a constitutional authority under Constitution of Republic of India tasked with conducting free and fair elections. It comprises a Chief Election Commissioner and two other election commissioners. Formed on 25th January 1950, today, it is celebrated as National Voters Day, albeit two years have lapsed since the time of its establishment. At the moment, Rajiv Kumar is the Chief Election Commissioner, with Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu are other election commissioners. Voting in India is conducted through Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), assisted with postal voting and special provisions for the disabled. With the intention of curbing malpractices and enhancing efficiency, the Election Commission initiated the EVMs. Its first trial was held in 1982 during a by-election for the Paravur assembly constituency in Kerala, but only in a limited number of polling stations. It's as a universal adult franchise that the Republic of India adopted none in the light of whatever paid homage to expansion in practice when independence struck: universal suffrage. With this endorsement began a complex web of diverse perspectives, interests, and processes.
National Voters Day is marked by a different theme each year, and this year's theme is "Nothing Like Voting, I Vote for Sure." This theme builds on last year's message, highlighting the importance of voting as both a fundamental right and a civic duty. Let's celebrate and observe National Voters Day to inspire every citizen, even the last person in line, to participate in the voting process. Long live Indian democracy and our right to vote.
(Vivek Koul).
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