Voting is one of the important fundamental rights that every individual must exercise. So to encourage youngsters to take part in the political process, National Voter’s Day is observed on January 25 every year. The day was established to mark Election Commission’s foundation day on January 25 on 2011, by the Government of India, and ever since then, it’s been celebrated in India. Voting gives power to a person to take control and choose the government. This year India will be celebrating the 12th National Voter’s Day tomorrow.
National Voter’s Day 2022: History
It was on this day in 1950, the Election Commission of India was formed. However, National Voter’s Day was started in 2011 by the then President of India, Pratibha Devi Patil. The day helped in awaring the youngsters the importance of voting and contributions of EC. To encourage people, a new slogan was coined ‘No Voter to be left behind to further emphasise the focus on inclusiveness.
National Voter’s Day 2022: Significance
The main objective of National Voter’s Day is to increase the enrolment of voters, especially the eligible ones. Earlier, the eligibility age of the voter was 21 years, but in 1988 it was lowered to 18 years. The Sixty-First Amendment Bill of 1998 lowered the voter’s eligibility age in India.
National Voter’s Day 2022: Theme
The theme this year of National Voter’s Day is Electoral Literacy for stronger Democracy.
Last year, Ravi Shankar Prasad, then Union Minister for Law and Justice, Communications and Electronics and Information Technology, launched the e-EPIC programme. It is a digital version of the Elector Photo Identity card that can be accessed through the Voter Helpline App and websites.
National Voters’ Day has been celebrated on 25th January every year, all across the country to mark the foundation day of the Election Commission of India.
The 12th National Voters’ Day is being celebrated today. The theme for this year is ‘Making Elections Inclusive, Accessible and Participative’. Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu will be the Chief Guest for the event. However, due to his inability to attend the function in person, his message will be virtually delivered during the function.
Minister for Law and Justice Kiren Rijiju will be the Guest of Honour. On the occasion, National Awards for the Best Electoral Practises for the year 2021-22 will be conferred on State and District level officers for their outstanding performance in the conduct of elections in different spheres such as IT initiatives, Security Management, Election Management, Accessible Elections and contribution in the field of voter awareness and outreach. National Awards will also be given to important stakeholders like government departments, ECI icons and media groups for their valuable contribution towards voters’ awareness.
During the function, the newly enrolled voters would also be felicitated and handed over their Elector Photo Identity Card (EPIC). The Commission has recently launched a new initiative to deliver the EPIC to newly enrolled voters, along with a personalised letter and a Voter Guidebook. Election Commission’s Publication ‘Leap of Faith: Journey of Indian Elections’ will be released on the occasion.
Another Publication ‘Pledging to Vote – A decadal Journey of The National Voters Day in India’ will also be launched. A national voter awareness contest on social media- ‘My Vote is my Future- Power of One Vote’ will also be launched to reiterate the importance of every vote through creative expression for the ongoing Assembly Elections 2022. With a host of categories like Song, Slogan, Quiz, Video Making and Poster Design, the contest will be open to all. The winners shall be presented with exciting cash prizes and accolades.
Source: Agencies
