New Delhi, 25, 2023 : 13th National Voters’ Day was celebrated across the country today with the Hon’ble President of India Shrimati Droupadi Murmu gracing the national level event held at New Delhi. Shri Kiren Rijiju, Union Minister for Law & Justice was the Guest of Honour. The Chief Election Commissioner Shri Rajiv Kumar, Election Commissioners Shri Anup Chandra Pandey, Shri Arun Goel received the dignitaries on the occasion.
Guest of Honour, Shri Kiren Rijiju said that the Ministry of Law & Justice, has been supporting Election Commission of India in bringing forth the electoral reforms like the recent amendment to the Act facilitating voter registration throughout the year. He added that all the decisions are being taken after due consultation with support of all political parties.
CEC Shri Rajiv Kumar in his address acknowledged that the biggest asset of the Election Commission of India is the trust gained due to its professional conduct of elections over the years. He elaborated that while electors in India have increased from about 17 crores in 1951 to over 94 crores now and the voter turn out was the highest ever at 67.4% in 2019 GE, the ECI is committed to motivate the remaining non-voters to come out to the polling station for an inclusive & participative elections.
During his address, CEC Shri Kumar thanked the voters of the country for participating enthusiastically in the elections and appreciated political parties for their cooperation and support in strengthening the electoral process and democracy at large. He also thanked the election machinery of India, which has conducted every election with total precision and perfection.
EC Shri Anup Chandra Pandey in his address said that ECI focus is to reach out to every voter including persons with disabilities, senior citizens, women, transgender, PVTG and all sections of society. “We have provided four qualifying dates every year for electoral enrolment to increase the number of youth voters. Special women specific initiatives have been launched to reduce the gender gap. Postal Ballot facility has been introduced for 80+ senior citizens and PwDs. Special Accessibility measures on polling booths are undertaken to facilitate PwD voters” he added.
In his welcome address, EC Shri Arun Goel said that the Hon’ble President’s presence, on this occasion, is a source of inspiration for continued fulfillment of ECI’s constitutional mandate for free, fair, inclusive, accessible, ethical and transparent elections. He said that the Commission has strived to facilitate and to enhance the voter experience by carefully devising strategies of voter registration, design of the polling station, voter education and voter outreach. Declaring National Voters’ Day Celebration is a continuation of these efforts.
An ECI song- “Main Bharat Hoon- Hum Bharat Ke Matdata Hain ” produced by ECI in association with Subhash Ghai Foundation, was screened on the occasion. The song brings forth the power of vote and celebrates the spirit of inclusive, accessible, ethical, participative and festive elections in the largest and most vibrant democracy of the world.
During the function, five newly enrolled voters from Delhi were also felicitated and handed over their Elector Photo Identity Card (EPIC) by the Hon’ble President.
