What is National Voters' Day?

Today (Monday, Jan 25), India is celebrating its sixth National Voters Day. Since 2011, NVD is annually celebrated on Jan 25. This year's theme of NVD is "Inclusive and Qualitative Participation"and slogan is ‘no voter should be left behind'.

The significance of this day is to encourage youngsters, who have reached the age of 18, of the country to participate in the electoral process, by enrolling or registering themselves in electoral rolls and to exercise their franchise.

Presently, the Chief Election Commissioner of the Election Commission of India is Dr Nasim Zaidi. On the occasion, Dr Zaidi released a book titled, "Belief in the Ballot" and presented its first copy to President Pranab Mukherjee, during a national function in New Delhi.

25th January is also the foundation day of the Commission, which came into being on this day in 1950.

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.

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