National Voters Day 2018
National Voters Day. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has celebrated the 8th National Voters Day (NVD) or Rashtriya Matdata Diwas on January 25, 2018, across the country to enhance participation of citizens in the electoral process. The National Voters’ Day is celebrated every year to mark the foundation day of the Election Commission of India, which was established on 25th January 1950.
The National Voters Day was first celebrated in 2011 to mark Election Commission’s Foundation Day. The purpose of the NVD is to increase enrolment of voters, especially of the newly eligible ones. The Day is also utilized to spread awareness among voters regarding effective participation in the electoral process.
National Voters Day (NVD) Important Points- This year Facebook launches ‘take the pledge’ feature on its platform. Facebook and Election Commission of India announced rolling out a new feature on the platform that will send a reminder to users aged 18 years and above to take the pledge to vote.
By clicking on “Take the Pledge” button, users will be directed to the EC’s Facebook post which will have the National Voters’ Day pledge.
Themes of National Voters Day
National Voters Day 2018 Theme – “Assessable Elections.”
2017 Theme – “Empowering Young and Future Voters.”
2016 Theme – “Inclusive and qualitative participation.”
2015 Theme – “Easy Registration, Easy Correction.”
2013 Theme – “Inclusion.”
2011 Theme – “Greater Participation for a Stronger Democracy.”
On this 8th National Voters Day, new voters will be provided with the badge of “Proud to be a voter – Ready to vote”. The slogan “No Voter to be left behind” suggests the focus on inclusiveness. On this day, Token awards will be conferred for the excellence, proficiency, and innovation in the election procedures and processes.
These token awards will recognize the contribution by Election machinery, Government department/ Agencies/ PSU, CSO, and media. On National Voters Day 2015, the disability activist Satendra Singh’s RTI caught Election Commission of India off-guard when they were found violating Supreme Court orders to enfranchize voters with the disability.
About National Voters Day
25th January is chosen to be national voters day because on 25 January 1950, just a day before a republic day; election commission was founded. NDV is to celebrate day from 2011 and idea of national voters day celebration came from an ordinary voter called Captain Chand in 2010. Election commission took suggestions and improved upon it to celebrate 25 January as national voters day. The year 2011 was the first and this year we will be celebrating 8th National Voters Day.
Earlier voter eligibility age was 21 years, but in 1988 it was lowered to 18 years. This change was incorporated because several countries across the world were adopting 18 years as official voting age. Same time young Indian pollution was getting literate and politically conscious. Sixty-First Amendment Bill of 1998 lowered the voter’s eligibility age in India.
Chief Election Commissioner – Sh. Om Prakash Rawat
Election Commissioner – Sh. Sunil Arora
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