(THE NEWSMAN OF INDIA.COM) The 15th National Voters’ Day was celebrated across the country today with the President of India Shrimati Droupadi Murmu gracing the national level event held at New Delhi. Union Minister of State for Law & Justice (Independent Charge) i Arjun Ram Meghwal, was the Guest of Honour. The Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu received the dignitaries on the occasion. President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu in her address said that it is a matter of pride that India is not just the oldest, but the largest, most diverse, youthful and inclusive democracy in the world. The President congratulated the Election Commission and the voters for enhanced participation by touching the mark of 66 percent voting consistently in the last three Lok Sabha elections. She also praised the increasing participation of women in the election process, calling it as a sign of societal and national progress.While congratulating the ECI on completion of 75 years of its service, the President praised the role played by the Election Commission over the years in conducting 18 Lok Sabha elections and over 400 State Legislative Assembly Elections successfully. Speaking about the significance of the National Voters’ Day to raise awareness about the rights and duties associated with voting, she said it is an important celebration of our democracy. Former Chief Election Commissioners, representatives of political parties, and Heads/Deputy Heads/representatives of Election Management Bodies from various countries who participated in the recently concluded two day international conference hosted by ECI, ahead of NVD, attended the event. Guest of Honour Arjun Ram Meghwal said that in the last 75 year journey, the Election Commission of India has strengthened democracy by instilling trust in the people. He appreciated the initiatives of ECI such as home voting, empowering third gender voters to vote, introducing Braille voter ID and ramps at polling stations and said they are heartening efforts towards making the election processes easy and all inclusive. He said that the historic milestone of 100 crore registered electors will be an unprecedented achievement of Indian democracy. CEC Rajiv Kumar, in his address praised the sagacity and intelligence of Indian voters and affirmed that they remain the ultimate custodians of the nation’s democracy.

Commending the dedication of election officials for their tireless efforts in the conduct of transparent elections with active involvement from political parties and media, CEC Kumar expressed confidence that India’s democracy would remain resilient, safeguarding it from any attempts to undermine it. He also urged citizens, particularly the youth and urban voters, to actively participate in shaping the nation’s future through the electoral process. Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in his remarks said that during the elections, ECI becomes the biggest pool of manpower on the planet. He added that while criticism is integral to democratic ethos, people across the globe acknowledge, realize and admit the legal conformity, accuracy, transparency and speed by which India supervises and conducts elections, perhaps unmatched in the world. In his welcoming address, Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu stated that democracy thrives in India through the collective efforts of voters, election officers, security forces, volunteers, media, and other stakeholders, all playing a vital role in safeguarding the sanctity of elections.CEC Rajiv Kumar presented the first copy of the ECI Coffee Table Book titled “India Votes 2024: A Saga of Democracy” to the President. This publication offers readers a glimpse into India’s democratic journey during the Lok Sabha Elections 2024, showcasing vivid visuals and compelling narratives. Furthermore, a copy of the ECI publication, “Belief in the Ballot: Human Stories Shaping India’s 2024 Elections” was also presented to the President by CEC Rajiv Kumar. This book features a thoughtfully curated collection of human-interest stories that highlight the uniqueness of these elections. A promo of the docu-drama series titled “India Decides” produced by Warners Bros Discovery was also unveiled. The three-part series dives deep into the history and making of the largest elections in the world. The docu-drama series will be released on the discovery channel and its OTT platforms. During the event, the Hon’ble President conferred the Best Electoral Practices Awards to 22 recipients, celebrating their outstanding contributions to election management, security management, voter education, and inclusivity. The awards recognize exceptional contributions across multiple categories in election management for the 2024 Lok Sabha and state assembly elections held in 2024. Best Performing State Award was given to CEOs of Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand, and Maharashtra. Additionally, Government Departments like NIC, Railways, and Petroleum Ministry were lauded for voter awareness and logistical support. Media awards acknowledged Radio Mirchi and Doordarshan for impactful election campaigns. During the event, the President felicitated five newly registered voters from Delhi and presented them with their EPIC. A multimedia exhibition showcasing key aspects of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 was also displayed. The exhibition featured interactive and immersive spaces, offering attendees an engaging experience.