President Droupadi Murmu praised the Election Commission's use of modern technology in the electoral process, hailing it as an example for democracies worldwide. Speaking at the 14th National Voters’ Day event, President Murmu commended the efforts of the Election Commission in ensuring inclusive elections by promoting the participation of women, persons with disabilities, and vulnerable groups.
The National Voters’ Day event, observed on January 25, marks the establishment day of the Election Commission, established on January 25, 1950, a day before India became a republic. Over the last 75 years, the Election Commission has overseen 17 Lok Sabha elections and more than 400 assembly elections.
President Murmu acknowledged the monumental logistics involved in conducting Lok Sabha elections, describing it as the world's largest logistics exercise. She highlighted that people voted in over 12 lakh polling stations, managed by 1.5 crore polling personnel.
The President also lauded the Election Commission's efforts to ensure that no voter is left behind. As part of the occasion, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar presented the first copy of the EC's publication "ECI Initiatives for General Elections 2024" to President Murmu. The publication provides an overview of the initiatives undertaken by each division of the EC to ensure free, fair, inclusive, accessible, and participatory elections.
A voter awareness film, 'My Vote My Duty,' produced by the ECI in collaboration with filmmaker Raj Kumar Hirani, was also screened during the event. Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal credited B R Ambedkar for championing women's right to vote as early as 1928 and highlighted Ambedkar's advocacy for the principle of 'one vote, one person, one value' during Constituent Assembly debates.
(With Agency Inputs)
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