What is National Voters’ Day?: Govt plans events around theme for 2024

What is the theme for National Voters’ Day 2024?

The theme for this year is ‘Nothing Like Voting, I Vote For sure’, which is a continuation from last year’s theme, and conveys an individual’s feeling and aspiration towards participation in the electoral process through the power of their vote.

The logo for this year’s theme is designed in such a way that it showcases festivity and inclusivity of the electoral process. The Ashoka Chakra in the background represents the largest democracy of the world, whereas the inked finger represents participation of each and every voter of the country. The tick mark in the logo stands for informed decision making by the voter.

Events to be held on National Voters’ Day

The main event will see President Droupadi Murmu as the chief guest at the national function being organised in New Delhi by the Election Commission of India. Union Minister of State for Law and Justice (Independent Charge), Shri Arun Ram Meghwal will be the guest of honour. The event will also be attended by heads and representatives of Election Management bodies of Maldives, Philippines, Russia, Sri Lanka and Uzbekistan.

Besides, National Awards for the Best Electoral Practices will be conferred on state and district level officers for their performance in the conduct of elections in different spheres such as IT initiatives, security management, election management, accessible elections and contribution in the field of voter awareness and outreach. The awards will also be given to important stakeholders like government departments, ECI icons and media groups for their contribution towards voters’ awareness.

A short voter awareness film – My Vote My Duty– produced by ECI in association with filmmaker Raj Kumar Hirani will also be screened. The short film features several celebrities with their messages evoking the spirit of democracy and power of one vote.

Ahead of the 2024 Parliamentary elections, a commemorative postage stamp themed “Inclusive Elections” will also be released on Friday.

On the occasion, an innovative multimedia campaign for voter education and awareness for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections will also be launched. A multimedia exhibition showcasing the grandeur of Indian elections, electoral reforms, technological advancements and election management innovations will also be displayed.

National Voters’ Day pledge

Students take pledge on National Voters’ Day in Punjab in 2018. Express archives

As a part of the celebrations, all government offices, autonomous bodies, and organisations take a pledge on the day. Schools and educational Institutions across the country are encouraged to conduct activities such as debates, discussions, and competitions on the theme of voters’ day.

The pledge: “ We, the citizens of India, having abiding faith in
democracy, hereby pledge to uphold the democratic
traditions of our country and the dignity of free, fair and
peaceful elections, and to vote in every election
fearlessly and without being influenced by
considerations of religion, race, caste, community,
language or any inducement ”

First National Voters’ Day celebrated in 2011

The first National Voters’ Day was celebrated in 2011 under the leadership of the then Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) S Y Quraishi. Speaking to The Indian Express in 2017, Quraishi had said, “When I took over (as the CEC), my biggest concern was voters’ apathy. At that time only 12 per cent of youngsters in the 18-19 years age group were registered as voters. The indifference among the youths was rooted in lack of awareness about eligibility and enrollment process. Although voter education was not the Election Commission’s mandate then, I decided that an extensive awareness drive was the only way to end voters’ apathy.”

Emulating India’s example, six countries, including Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal and Bhutan, have started celebrating the National Voters Day.