The National Voters’ Day is observed in India on the 25th January every year, which happens to be the formation day of the Election Commission of India.
One of the main objectives of the Election Commission is to increase the enrolment of voters so as to make universal adult franchise a complete reality and thereby enhance the quality of Indian democracy by making it truly participative.
The tradition of observing the National Voters’ Day began in 2011, with the aim of encouraging young voters to take part in elections. It stemmed from the observation that the new voters, who had attained the age of 18, were showing less interest in getting enrolled in the electoral rolls.
Overall voters turn out for significant part of 1990s and 2000s had remained under 60% in most of the national elections. While 2004 recorded 57.98% turn out, it was 58.19% in the 2009 general elections. Voters apathy was most pronounced in urban areas, especially in the large cities and metros.
To address this issue, the Election Commission of India launched the Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation programme, better known as SVEEP. The then Director General of ECI, Akshay Rout of the Indian Information Service, laid thrust on broadbasing the SVEEP through greater synergy with Civil Society Organizations, Media as well as citizens’ associations. Going forward, exchange of best practices became another standard feature of SVEEP.
Over the years, SVEEP has not only delivered positive results but has also been a subject of study by multiple democracies from around the world.
The voter turn out shot up from 58.19% in 2009 to 66.4% in 2014. The 2019 General Elections recorded the highest ever voter turn out of 67.4%.
In the case of the world’s largest democracy, percentages do not tell the story lucidly, as do sheer numbers. While 13.6 crore (136 mn) more voters exercised their franchise in the 2014 elections, as compared to 2009, a mere 1 per cent increase in voter turnout between 2014 and 2019, translated into 6.04 crore (60.4 mn) additional voters.
It has become customary to present National Awards for Best Electoral Practices to state and district level officers for their outstanding performance in the conduct of elections in different spheres such as IT initiatives, election management, promoting accessibility, increasing voter awareness etc.
It is a matter of great honour that my organization, the Bureau of Outreach Communication (BOC) of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has also been chosen for the National Award for its contribution in raising voter awareness through its multi-media outreach activities. BOC’s regional outfit in Pune is similarly being honoured with a state level award.
While the National Awards will be presented in New Delhi, the main National Voters’ Day event of Maharashtra will be held in Aurangabad.
An Election Commission of India publication ‘Leap of Faith : Journey of Indian Elections’, a book that narrates India’s electoral history from the 19th century to present , will also be released today.
MD / BPost XI.
ON THIS DAY 