Rajkummar Rao Named National Icon by Election Commission of India

The Election Commission of India (ECI) is all set to declare actor Rajkummar Rao as its national icon. The announcement is scheduled for a special event this Thursday, where Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar will officially appoint Rao to this prestigious role.

Rao, celebrated for his remarkable performances in various films, particularly for his role in the critically acclaimed movie 'Newton,' is expected to bring a fresh wave of enthusiasm among the voters. 'Newton' showcased his portrayal of an upright government clerk committed to conducting a free and fair election in the challenging and Maoist-affected regions of Chhattisgarh. The film earned accolades and went on to win the National Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi. Moreover, it was India's official submission for the Best Foreign Language Film category at the 90th Academy Awards.

The ECI's decision to designate Rajkummar Rao as a National Icon falls in line with their continuous efforts to encourage and motivate voters to actively participate in the democratic process. Notably, the Election Commission has previously recognized prominent figures like actors Pankaj Tripathi and Aamir Khan, as well as revered sports personalities such as Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, and MC Mary Kom as National Icons.

The timing of this announcement is significant, as the upcoming assembly elections in five states hold great importance. With over 161 million eligible voters, these elections will shape the political landscape in these regions. The schedule for the elections is as follows:

Mizoram: The state will go to polls on November 7.
Chhattisgarh: The elections for the 90-member assembly will be held in two phases on November 7 and 17.
Madhya Pradesh: Voting is scheduled for November 17.
Telangana: The state will cast their votes on November 30.
Rajasthan: Originally scheduled for November 23, the election has been rescheduled to November 25.

The results of these state elections will be declared on December 3, just months ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, making the role of National Icon even more crucial in engaging citizens in the democratic process.

Rajkummar Rao's ability to connect with a diverse audience and his recognition as a National Icon by the Election Commission is expected to further encourage and inspire the people to actively participate in the electoral process, exercising their democratic rights.