Political parties should inspire, not divide: CEC Kumar

"In 2024, we will have the world's largest peacetime movement of men and materials to enable 95 crore voters to exercise their franchise spread over 12 lakh polling stations, through our 1.5 crore election officials," said CEC Kumar.

The ECI carried out nine state Assembly elections in 2023, where around 16 crore electors voted, with "no major incident of violence and near zero re-polls", CEC Kumar said. (File)

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar on Wednesday appealed to political parties, “pivot of the country’s vibrant democracy”, to inspire rather than promote division and personal attacks.

In his recorded address on the eve of National Voters’ Day — which falls on January 25 — CEC Kumar said, “Political parties are the pivot of our vibrant democracy… Going into the 2024 general elections, we appeal to all political parties for their continued support, while assuring them of our fullest cooperation in providing a level-playing field. Fostering an ethical and respectful political discourse plays a critical role in shaping the democratic process and in influencing our young voters in particular… It is imperative that political parties engage in discussions that inspire rather than divide, that promote ideas instead of personal attacks.”

He said that the National Voters’ Day — which marks the anniversary of the establishment of the Election Commission of India (ECI) on January 25, 1950, a day before India became a Republic — was special this year, as the Lok Sabha and state Assembly elections are scheduled to be held in eight states. “In 2024, we will have the world’s largest peacetime movement of men and materials to enable 95 crore voters to exercise their franchise spread over 12 lakh polling stations, through our 1.5 crore election officials,” said CEC Kumar.

CEC Kumar also said that among those registered to vote, there were 81 lakh people with disabilities, 1.8 crore aged 80 years and above, 2.5 lakh aged 100 years and above, and more than 48,000 third gender. The ECI carried out nine state Assembly elections in 2023, where around 16 crore electors voted, with “no major incident of violence and near zero re-polls”, he said.

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