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.

Here are some Twitter reactions:

Be The ChangeYou want To See#NATIONAL VOTERS DAY@Fan_OfficeOfRG @BPCCofficial @anamsultan22 @LaraibNeyazi @nsui pic.twitter.com/Zd0l5szBvc

— Tafheem Tabdar (@TTabdar) January 25, 2016

On #NationalVotersDay I exhort all to compulsorily exercise their voting right & be proud to be a voter, as fate of Nation depends on voting

— Prakash Javadekar (@PrakashJavdekar) January 25, 2016

On #NationalVotersDay everyone must ensure that they are enlisted as voters to uphold their democratic right to vote pic.twitter.com/6CACWAsgER

— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) January 25, 2016

We greet everyone on National Voters Day.There is no power greater than the power of voters.

— Today's Chanakya (@TodaysChanakya) January 25, 2016

Pledge!Be a #responsible #citizenCheck your name in the #voters' list on #NationalVotersDay pic.twitter.com/eQ7OWstxDE

— ALL INDIA RADIO (@AkashvaniAIR) January 25, 2016

25 Jan is celebrated as #NationalVotersDay - an initiative begun by @DrSYQuraishi to educate voters on the imp of exercising their franchise

— Shankar Chaudhary (@ChaudhryShankar) January 25, 2016

The Election Commission of IND was founded on the 25th of Jan 1950, this day was later named as National Voters Day. pic.twitter.com/pHYjV2loxe

— Sachin Pilot (@PilotSachin) January 25, 2016

Greet fellow countrymen & @NVDECI on #NationalVotersDay.Appeal to all voters to cast their votes in coming elections pic.twitter.com/KsatX4mX9k

— Dr Raman Singh (@drramansingh) January 25, 2016

On National Voters Day, my best wishes to Election Commission of India & voters across India pic.twitter.com/xKsRxKMQHn

— Anandiben Patel (@anandibenpatel) January 25, 2016

On #NationalVotersDay, I exhort youth to resolve to invariably exercise this right to further strengthen democracy. pic.twitter.com/RPB5Wvb5Jn

— ShivrajSingh Chouhan (@ChouhanShivraj) January 25, 2016

Today is #NationalVotersDay my sand art with message "Proud to be a voter, Ready to vote." @puribeach #Odisha pic.twitter.com/C2bhLKQfve

— sudarsan pattnaik (@sudarsansand) January 25, 2016

Today is National Voters day & tomorrow Republic Day .. Let's celebrate the spirit of largest democratic Republic... https://t.co/DeoYHw7UTR

— Satish K Singh (@SKSingh9) January 25, 2016