25th January is celebrated as National Voters’ Day through out India at around 7 lac locations. Unbelievable but true! On this day, the entire nation reverberates with the festivities of democracy as crores of Indians celebrate their right to vote!
National Voter’s Day aims at increasing the enrolment of voters, especially encourage participation of newly eligible young voter (18-19 yr old) and ensure universal adult franchise. 25th January, the Foundation Day of Election Commission of India (ECI), was declared as the National Voters’ Day in the year 2011. Since then, National Voters Day has been celebrated all over India with gusto and has become more festive with each passing year.
On Jan 14, 2016, while inaugurating Matdaata Mahotsav, Dr Zaidi had said that “National Voters Day is mark of the power of every individual vote, while adding that voters’ participation in the democratic and electoral processes is integral to the successful running of any democracy and the very basis of wholesome democratic elections.
He reiterated that voter is the bedrock of the institution of democracy. Dr. Zaidi further added that Election Commission aspire to reach out to every adult citizen of the country and promote ethical and aware participation in the electoral process.
He agreed that this festival is an effort to initiate the process of collaboration for enhanced and quality participation in the elections. Matdaata Mahotsav 2016 marks completion of 5 successful events of the National Voters Day and launch of the Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) programme.
The NVD is celebrated all polling stations all across the country, to mark the importance of voting.
SY Quraishi, the former CEC has described NVD as a ” festival of democracy, next only to general election“.
In an article published in a leading daily, Quraishi revealed how the idea of celebrating NVD came out. He said that a youth in Bhubaneshwar in Sept 2010 said, “18 years is an age that deserves to be celebrated. At least one day every year should be dedicated to 18 year olds.” That’s when the NVD was born!
NVD also aims to educate and aware voters of their rights and to increase the voter turnout during elections.
So, all the eligible voters, actively participate in the democratic revolution and proud to show your inked finger, that is a symbol of your mandate in electing leaders of the country.
(Ref : http://ecisveep.nic.in/nvd2016.aspx & http://www.oneindia.com/ & http://iseeindia.com/)