Nation celebrates 13th National Voters’ Day
13th National Voters’ Day was celebrated across the country today on January 25, 2023 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.
In her address, Hon’ble President Shrimati Droupadi Murmu said that the members of the Constituent Assembly expressed immense faith in the wisdom of citizens and made the provision of election on the basis of adult franchise. The people of India have made their belief true. India’s democracy is respected as the world’s largest, vibrant and stable democracy.
Addressing the gathering, the President said that social revolution has been possible in our country during the past seven decades through the election process. It is a great success of our democracy that the common voter living in remote areas feels that he/she has a major role in deciding who would and how they would govern the country or state. She expressed confidence that with the combined efforts of the Election Commission and all other participants, our democracy would become stronger.
The President further said that the motto of the Election Commission ‘no voter to be left behind’ to motivate the voters, is commendable. The collective contribution of the Election Commission and the voters strengthens the electoral process of our country. She urged all citizens to consider voting as their contribution to nation-building and must vote with the spirit of ‘nation paramount’. She added that it is a great achievement of our election process and our democracy that the active participation of women in the democratic process is continuously increasing.
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. He further added ECI is keen that the Assured Minimum Facilities developed in the schools are of permanent nature and become a gift of the election process to the students in these schools.
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.